MN Range Protection Act Update

email | 5/5/04 | Rebecca Otto

[brbethke]

In response to email from a constituent, State Representative Rebecca Otto (DFL-Stillwater) demonstrates her amazing ability to straddle an issue:

From: Rebecca Otto Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 3:46 PM Subject: RE: the Shooting Range Zoning Protection Bill--HF327 and SF462

Thank you for writing. I used to live right near the Oakdale Gun Club, and they were a good neighbor, and I know others that are members that love the facility. I want to see gun clubs continue to exist in our communities, and others such as hunt clubs. I had the opportunity to speak to the owner of Wild Wings in my committee where we heard the shooting range bill. I asked him if the neighbors feel about his operation. He said they love being a neighbor to his facility, and home values are high around it due to the fact that they are such good neighbors.

I voted against the bill in committee the way it was written due to the language in it. It is not necessary to have it written the way it is. I want to see all prospective homeowners who want to buy a home by a shooting range to sign a form saying that they know there is a range in the area, and they understand the hours and activities that would be going on. I think we get city folks moving out to more rural settings, and then they suddenly don't like the smell of the cows, or the sound of shooting, etc.... This would be an informational process so that they cannot come back later and try and get rid of it. I believe that when a range follows the rules, they are successful, and do fine.

If you would like to talk about this, please feel free to call me. I want to see ranges remain so that there are places for people to go to sharpen their skills, for law enforcement to be able to use to maintain their skills.

Sincerely, Rebecca Otto State Representative

[brbethke]

Note how she effortlessly segues from "I want to see gun clubs continue to exist" to "[but] I voted against the bill [because]" without skipping a beat. Amazing. Despite being a middle-aged lady, she can still do splits like a high-school cheerleader!

[neverdem]

BANG

[TERMINATTOR]

I voted for the appropriation, before I voted against it. Sounds familliar?

[laddie]

Dear Sportsman,

My name is Matt Dean. I am running for Minnesota House of Representatives 52B against Rebecca Otto.

I know that you support the Gun range Bill, Personal Protection Bill, and many other laws that protect the rights of landowners and sportsmen and women in our community.

Rep. Otto refuses to take a stand on these issues, but continues to vote with those who firmly and militantly oppose these rights. She voted against the Personal Protection bill. She voted against the Gun Range Bill. In a debate with rep. Holsten in 2002, she emphasized the "fact" that much more money was spent on birdwatching in Minnesota than on all forms of hunting combined!

In her last election, The DFL spent nearly $35/vote to get her elected. All of the special interest groups piled on for one of the most expensive and campaigns in Minnesota history. The campaign resulted in indictments and new laws to curb unethical campaign practices. They will be back again. That's why I need your help.

If you want to retain the Minnesota Heritage of hunting and fishing, I urge you to help me right now. I wont just talk about Personal protection, I will vote for it. I wont just talk about preserving gun ranges, I will fight for it and vote for it.

Beyond defending our rights through these policies, I intend to carry on the work of Com. Holsten in preserving and expanding conservation and habitat areas throughout Minnesota.

Thanks for your work on this!

All the best,
Matt Dean

www.mattdean.org
matt@mattdean.org

Please forward this message to concerned sportsmen/women