Posted: 1/8/2013 2:00:17 PM EDT
|
Here's an email from a pro gun Rhode island Representative. This is related to the PAC email I just posted. I will not post the Representative's name or information as all this is still in its infancy and I don't want to jeopardize it in any way by posting too much information.
"Ladies and Gentleman, This is really outstanding action being taken by the local gun clubs and other organizations. As the “de facto” point-man for the fight for our 2nd amendment liberties in the House, and General Assembly at large, I will be trying as best as I can to keep all like-minded groups and individuals informed as to the progress our various groups are making, and try very hard to keep everyone focused on the same goals so that we have all the appearance of a well-organized, and also a well-funded group of activists. I have had some side-bar conversations with (named removed, but prominant figure__CTRob65) relative to this effort, and during the 90’s when I was a gun lobbyist, and the (title removed, but prominant figure__CTRob65) , we had great success in killing a lot of really bad anti-gun legislation back then. The (title removed _ CTRob65) has suggested the hiring of a lobbyist, and while that does cost money – a commodity that not many folks have an abundance of these days, it does go very far in respect to “reaching” the leadership of the General Assembly. Also – I am meeting with RI’s NRA affiliate this week and will hopefully be able to determine what their plans are to fight this onslaught of anti-rights bills that are coming our way. If the NRA has a paid lobbyist that will be there for these bills we may want to double our efforts if we feel it’s necessary and get our own lobbyist. I am currently working on a spreadsheet that will list every single Senator and Representative along with the BEST way to reach them by both phone, and email. The standard issues state-based email often times never even makes it to the legislator, so I like to get the “real” phones and emails. I am also including the NRA’s assessment of these legislators that is offered with their election year “grading” system. However I feel it is tremendously important to point out that an “A” rating with the NRA for someone who has been in the GA for less than 6-8 years may not be a true indicator of how they will stand on these upcoming bills. The reason for this is that we have not had very many strong challenges to our firearms-rights in this time period, so there has been very little material for the NRA to judge the legislators by. Also on this list I will be adding editorial information that I know of by virtue of the fact that I work with these people that might “water down” their strong NRA ratings. One point that I have been really going out of my way to emphasize is the need to get our club members and members of the public to email, and phone their legislators, and also other key legislators such as committee chairs, and other leadership members. A common perception among many is that their phone calls and emails fall on deaf ears but I can state with absolute certainty that this is NOT true. When our emailbox and phone is blowing up with calls from people on a certain issue – it really does make us pay attention. My suggestion when contacting your legislators is to not use any sort of “form letter” style email. We get these a lot, and frankly they do not carry much water because they are basically perceived as SPAM. My advice when contacting your rep/senator; 1) Use a “subject line” in the email that is not a “FW:” style subject, but rather something more general – forcing them to open the email to read about it. If your subject line is “VOTE AGAINST H5432” in all caps, it will have diminished effect. A subject line such as “A very troubling bill” or something to that effect. 2) The body of the email should be succinct – not rambling on citing case law and court decisions in all CAPS. It should not be aggressive in any way, or demeaning. It should be police and along the lines of “kindly request that you vote against these measures as they will not do anything to stop such horrible tragedies from happening, but will only affect the people who actually abide by the law.” That is much more powerful. 3) When you send the email, it is a pain in the butt, I know, but take the time to write 113 individual emails – even if they are all the same email, but email them to one legislator at a time, and open the email by saying “Dear Representative Chippendale,”. Emails that come in with a “TO:” line that includes every single senator and rep are largely deleted without even being opened. 4) If the rep or senator is yours personally, then start the conversation with “I live at 123 Thunder Buddy Lane, Yourtown, RI and I voted for you this past election.” Even if you didn’t vote for them. Little white lies like that aren’t going to send you to hell. I will be providing a very comprehensive “how to” on reaching your legislators shortly, but for the meantime we really need to be prepping our members and gearing up for the battle of our lives. Respectfully, and proudly at your service," |