Posted on 02/08/2003 7:12:33 PM PST by Dan from Michigan
Press Release:
Subject: Michigan Gun Owners formed
Issued: February 8, 2003
Gun Rights activists want grass roots organization in Michigan:
Leading gun rights activists in Michigan today announced a new initiative to put forth a return to grass roots activism and reverse the trend of draconian restrictions placed upon the law abiding gun owners of Michigan and restore the rights of its citizens as guaranteed by Article 1, Section 6 of Michigan’s Constitution and the Second Amendment of the US Constitution.
A non-profit organization called “Michigan Gun Owners” has been formed to build a voice for law-abiding Michigan citizens who are concerned about the constant erosion of their rights and are willing to work at the grass roots level to effect favorable public opinion and legislation.
Michigan Gun Owners mission statement:
Michigan gun owners is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization committed to educating the public about trends and activities which diminish the right to keep and bear arms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and Article 1, Section 6 of Michigan’s Constitution, and engaging in grass roots activism to preserve and defend those rights.
An executive committee has been established and is composed of 7 highly talented activists committed to organize an effective group of members state-wide, with a collective voice to be clearly heard by Michigan lawmakers. The first year management group is tasked with structuring the organization and establishing a policy for maximum possible effectiveness.
“The Executive Committee of Michigan Gun Owners has extensive experience and capability to capture the needs and interests of Michigan’s law abiding gun owners in this important mission.” said Executive Committee Chairman Robert Hauff. “I expect that we will develop a creative, innovative strategy and structure from which an effective gun rights reform campaign can be launched.”
The effort will begin with a membership drive across the state and by preparing for an organized campaign to educate the public about guns, gun owners, and Michigan’s gun laws.
Michigan Gun Owners will work with decision-makers in education, business, and government, other sportsman’s organizations, as well as everyday citizens, to better the lives and liberties of all Michigan’s citizens.
To quickly learn about Michigan Gun Owners, visit the web site at http://www.michigangunowners.com The site includes a news section with the latest developments across Michigan and a public message board for comminications with other activists across Michigan, and other in-depth information.
--------------------------- Here are the fees
1 year $25
3 year $65
5 year $100
1 year Senior {62 & over} and active Military $15 {1 year only}
Junior membership are $15 for a 1 year
Family Membership which includes up to 2 Adults and unlimited children $65 a year
Membership can be mailed to
Michigan Gun Owners
P.O. Box 857
West Branch MI 48661
Or you can apply for membership online at paypal addressed to membership@mgouc.com
Please Include
Full Name
Address
Telephone number
City, State, Zip
County
and the email address that would be best to get in contact you with
Let us know if you would like to opt out of a mailed quarterly newsletter and except the online version
The best of the best in Michigan have come together to form a new pro-Second Amendment organization. We are a grass roots incorporated 501c(4) organization.
While our organization itself is new, we are well experienced. The most active leaders of Michigan’s other gun organizations are now here. A former executive director, Wayne County Chair, PAC Treasurer, and Ingham County Chapter Chair of other gun organizations are among its charter members, as well as some of their most active members across the state.
What do we have to offer:
Experience – We have it. We were there as individuals in 2000 for CCW, and we are not finished yet.
Merit-based endorsements – Our PAC(Not established yet – in the works) will choose the best pro-2a candidate out of the major parties, or endorse neither if they are anti-gun. Our PAC will not endorse anti-gunners, nor give dual endorsements when one candidate is a leader on our issues while the other is not a pro-2a leader. We will not sacrifice our principles for political games. Our PAC will commit the research necessary and will welcome all input into our process.
Hard Work: - We are not doing this for the money. In fact, we are not receiving any salary for this. We are all volunteers who believe in this organization and the Second Amendment. All the money in this organization will be used to fight for our rights. This is an all volunteer organization.
Aggressive election strategies – You will see us election time. We will have an organized effort and will be knocking on doors, calling, writing letters, mailing, and doing the important work giving our candidates the edge. We will also network with other groups that support the same candidates for the greatest effect. It worked for proposal 2 back in 2000, and it will work again.
Grass Roots: - There’s a saying in politics. Grass Roots Vs Professionalism. The reason why many politicians will vote our way is because of our grass roots efforts. We have hard working, informed, politically active members and leaders, and we welcome all of you pro-rights individuals to join us.
Fair organization Elections: - After our startup, our board members are elected and elected fairly. We are a membership organization.
As a personal note, I will not place my name on something unless I believe in it. I am one of the charter members of this great team. It will be a long hard road building our membership and protecting our rights, but this team of individuals will be there. There are no sellouts here. We will not support a bill where we lose more than we gain.
I am not asking anyone to quit any other organizations. I am a member of the NRA and SAF. This is not a zero sum game.
However, I do ask for your support. As I am results oriented, I do not usually try and sell potential, nor am sold by it, but that’s what I am doing here. I have seen organizations form, succeed, and fail. This org has what it takes to succeed.
Please visit our website at http://www.michigangunowners.com . We will also be at Outdoorrama in Novi, and welcome you to stop at our booth. If you have any questions, please ask them, and one of us will be happy to answer all of them.
I joined for three years. That's how much I believe in this.
It also only matters in FEDERAL elections(Congress, Senate, President). On the state level(governor, state rep, state senate), it doesn't matter.
It does effect us, but it effects the NRA more than us since we concentrate mostly on state issues.
Sounds like the defense of the Second Amendment is in good hands in Michigan.
1. The NRA(which I'm also a member of) played some games last election, not always endorsing the person with the best voting record(including someone that voted against CCW). They also backed a couple of bills in Lansing that give up more of our rights than we gain. We won't play games. We'll back the best person running for that office, and will remember our leaders on our issues.
2. All of our money will be used to support our rights here in Michigan. There are no salaries. We will get our money's worth from our membership dues and donations.
3. The most the NRA did election time for state candidates is send a mailing out for a couple of them, and a bumper sticker for the governor's race, and John Dingell. They also did have a phone bank for the governor's race as well. We plan on going much further than that. We'll be much more involved in state representative, state senate, judicial, and as even county level offices. We will tour clubs, be at all the gunshows, mailing, phone banks, volunteers, door to door, letters to the editor, issue advocacy, and will use any tactic to help our candidates win.
4. You will see us much more than the NRA. The NRA occasionaly has a booth at a gun show or an event. We will work hard to be at ALL the gun shows, as well as non gun events to educate the public and show who we are. We'll have grassroots meetings across the state to get our name out.
I don't know; things are going loopy.
I should mention that there was an MGO before a certain org that I was a member of(I don't want to sell MGO by bashing another group), so any claim there will not hold any weight in court if that route is taken.
Well, booths cost money, and they don't give us the booths for free. That's the biggest way we support gun shows(as well as opposing restrictions to them in the legislature)
When are you and your group going to join the Gun Show Protect Union?
Send your info to our group at the address given in the post, and we will look at it in depth. I'm not on the exec board(I may or may not be on the PAC so I don't have a voting decision outside of being a member.
GSPU is a 501C4 non-profit and IRS tax exempt corporation
I didn't think C4's are tax exempt(If you are referring to donations). C3's are, but C4's I believe are not.
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