The PROponent Peoples Rights Organization 5 E. Long St., Suite 412; Columbus, OH 43215; (614) 268-0122 Volume 6 AUGUST, 1994 Number 8 (headline) We Win! WE WIN! ... FOR NOW ... The famous Columbus "assault weapon" ban passed in 1989, the ordinance that led to the founding of PRO, is dead. A federal appeals court threw out the ordinance because it was "unconstitutionally vague." Let me recap the history of this battle for new PRO members. Back in 1989 at the suggestion of then mayor Buck Reinhart (who probably did it at the suggestion of the anti-gun U.S. Council of Mayors), Council member John P. Kennedy sponsored an "assault weapon" ban and gun registration ordinance for the city of Columbus. It woke everybody up and created massive resistance. Typical of Columbus City Council, they just passed it anyway. A bunch of us got together to figure out what to do next and formed PRO to fight the gun ban. Our first two acts were to circulate a petition to put the law up to a referendum vote and to sue the City about the law. We failed to get enough valid signatures for a vote but our law case wound it's way through the courts. We got to the Ohio Supreme court first and the NRA had a fit because they wanted the Cleveland case to be ruled on first. PRO was skeptical about the Cleveland arguments being better and dragged our feet over withdrawing. [Interestingly enough, the very arguments that PRO raised in its suit, that were not raised in the Cleveland suit, were those raised by the justices themselves in ruling on the Cleveland case] But PRO's purpose was not to make a big splash in court, but rather to just keep chewing on the leg of the City of Columbus. So we struck a deal with the NRA: We would drop our suit to let Cleveland go ahead if the NRA would sponsor a "bill of attainder" action with us against the City based on the fact that the ordinance named specific manufactures. We did and they did. This ruling comes out of that lawsuit. The appeals court ruled, "The ordinance is fundamentally irrational and impossible to apply consistently by the buying public, the sportsman, or the law enforcement officer, the prosecutor or the judge." See, we told them they were irrational all along! The court never even got to the bill of attainder issue. So while the Columbus firearm waiting period and purchase registration still apply, you can bring your "assault weapons" back into town ... if you ever took any out in the first place. I very strongly suspect that the only "banned" firearms that existed in the city were the few owned by the plaintiffs in the original lawsuit and the few TEK-9's owned by the drug gangs that caused the Columbus murder rate to set new all time record highs for the first few years after the law was passed. It really stopped crime, didn't it? The federal judges expressed annoyance that Columbus tried to be "cute" by copying the California law rather than just illegally banning all semi-automatic firearms with removable magazines the way Cleveland did. The court clearly seemed anxious to declare that banning a whole class of firearms was not any kind of "infringement" of rights. Now, there could be a new ban or the City could appeal to the Supreme Court or do nothing. Nothing would be best for all concerned, but I doubt this will occur. There is too much pressure from up top for gun-grabbing at the municipal level and there are political careers to be made. The next best thing would be for City Council to "go for broke" with some outrageous ban of all handguns, all semi-automatic firearms and complete registration of all guns and ammunition. The reason I call this "next best" is that now PRO is organized. Now PRO has the membership to make a petition drive work. Hell, now PRO has the money to PAY professionals to go and get the signatures. So if a referendum on a new law is certain, then you want the new law to be as outrageous as possible. If it seems too "reasonable" the people just might think it's OK. Remember the gun-grabbers have all the money and the media. In any case, wait and see, but have your walking shoes ready. PRO has not given up. We are ready to do the whole thing over again. Another petition drive. More lawsuits. More ways to bring these issues to public attention. And last but not least, booting every councilperson who voted for the ban out of office. OHIO RALLY... On July 2, 1994, the Ohio Committee of 1776 held a successful rally at the Capitol Building in Columbus, Ohio. This rally was in conjunction with 25 other states around the country. All of the rallies were in protest of our elected governments eroding our Second Amendment rights, and infringing on our other rights as protected by the Bill of Rights. Each individual rally was also the kickoff for a national rally in Washington, D.C. on August 14, 1994. The PRO Board voted to not have any "official" sponsorship of the Committee of 1776's rally in Washington,. Trustees shared the NRA concern that pictures of pro-gun extremists in the national media would do more harm than good. Particularly bad is the call by Linda Thompson of Waco tape fame for an illegal armed rally of her "militia" in Washington some time later. PRO members are free, of course, to individually support or attend the national rally. The Columbus Dispatch said that 300 people attended our rally. WTVN radio stated that 1,500 attended the Ohio Rally. This estimate is getting closer. With the bad weather surrounding downtown Columbus, it is a miracle that anyone from Columbus showed up at all. The Cleveland Plain Dealer counted heads at the event and came up with 2,000 attending. Speakers for the rally were Rep. Joy Padgett, 95th District; Rep. William Schuck, 29th District; Dan Ferguson, attorney from Dayton; Billy Inman, Independent candidate for Governor; Joe Slovenic, Independent Candidate for U.S. Senator, and Mike Regan, Chairman of PRO. Pastor Ray Rodgers, Jr. led the rally with a prayer, and helped close it with a rousing rendition of "My Country Tis Of Thee". Ken Brodbeck, Co-Chairman of the rally, did an outstanding job as Master of Ceremonies. The Committee of 1776 and the Ohio Committee of 1776 is comprised solely of grassroots volunteers. No one was paid, nor was anyone involved from any of the major gun rights groups. Gun Owners of America donated two phone lines, and mailing services for the rallies. JPFO provided some support and the New GunWeek helped advertise the rally. Anything else done for the rallies was done by individuals at the grassroots level who felt that it was time for something new to be tried. The leaders of the Committee of 1776 felt that gun owners and those who believe in liberty were losing their fight with the passage of the Brady Law and the almost assured adoption of the so-called "assault weapon ban". They felt it was time for another strategy. Thus the idea of a rally in each state to kick-off a national rally in Washington, D.C. on August 14, 1994. The Committee was able to coordinate rallies in 25 states in less than two months. There was a possibility of 37 states but the others were unable to accomplish what was needed in such a short time. It seemed that the second of July was a day for extremes: 111 degrees out west, and waist high flood waters in Columbus, Ohio just two miles from the Capitol. The co-chairmen of the Ohio Committee of 1776 offer their heartfelt thanks to the Ohio Gun Collectors Association, Ohio Constitution Defense Council, PRO, Miami Valley Area for Responsible Legislation, GoodYear Hunting and Fishing Club, Bill Goodman Gun and Knife Shows, PRO-Central, Land of Legend Rifle and Pistol Club, a contributor from New Jersey, and everyone else that donated money. Without your help, the rally would not have been possible. Special thanks go to Mike Duve and Sue, Pam Sheets, Gary Sites, Roger Antolic, Mike Regan, Mike Masten, Sharon Clark, Ron Herman, Jack Papin, John Lydic, Jim Ramm and Bud Richert. And thanks to all of you that showed up to cheer and wave flags. Don't forget the August 14th rally in Washington from 10:30 am til 4:30 pm if you choose to go. There is a bus trip leaving Columbus at 10 pm on August 13, and returning around 1 am on August 15. The bus trip will cost $50.00 for the round trip and your money must be in by August 1, 1994. No refunds, unless the trip is canceled. Speakers at the national rally are Larry Pratt (GOA), Jay Simkin (JPFO), Roy Innis (CORE), Dennis Martin (NACOP) and Jim Fotis (LEAA). WALK... In conjunction with the Rally in Washington, Glad Hall has begun a walk to Washington from Salem, Illinois. Hall's walk began on July 9 and he plans to walk 30 miles a day as he walks through the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia. "Glad Hall is just one of many Americans who is fed up with the `politics as usual' in Washington," said Larry Pratt, Executive Director of Gun Owners of America. "Through his walk, Hall is trying to bring an awareness to the invasion of our Constitutional rights, particularly the Second Amendment." Hall, a grandfather and small business owner will end his 700 mile trek on August 14th, when he attends to address the Second Amendment rally in Washington, D.C. He is also extending a welcome to anyone that would like to join him on his journey. For a schedule of his walk, contact Dennis Fusaro at 703-321-8585. ____________________________________________________________ My Creed I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon - if I can. I seek opportunity - not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, this I have done. All this is what it means to be an American. Dean Alfange Taken from Volume 5, Number 3, Issue 30, June/July edition of Ted Nugent's "Adventure Outdoors" ____________________________________________________________ HELP THEM WIN ... So I just finished stomping around the Frank Rd. area distributing a stack of campaign literature for Amy Salerno that ascended to the very heavens and where were the other PRO members? Nowhere in sight, that's where. It's inertia again. PRO members ask me, "How can I be sure that if I work for Amy Salerno's campaign, she won't sell out and stab us in the back the way Pryce did?" I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it's time you grew up and figured out that you can NEVER be sure. The reason we celebrate the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln is that politicians who put their ideals and the good of the people above their own personal interests are rare birds indeed. So let's get practical here for a minute. Politicians as a rule will vote your way only so long as they are convinced they need you. They will vote against you only if they think you can't hurt them. Need is defined as getting elected, hurt is defined as getting booted out of office. Pryce needed PRO to get elected. She needed our PAC money, however small the amount. She needed help with her lit drops. Let's be fair. She voted against "Brady" and for all the NRA amendments as payback. But then the big boys came in with offers and PRO's puny PAC became peanuts. She knew we wouldn't be able to blanket her district with workers because she had the direct experience of how few PRO members turned out to help her against a declared anti-gunner. In short, she "knew" we couldn't hurt her. She voted to overturn the Constitution. If you are looking for someone to blame for the defection of Pryce and Kasich to the anti-gunners and you were NOT out on the campaign trial with ME last year, then point a finger right at yourself! If politicians get the idea that if you cross PRO, our members will put their opponents literature in the hand of every voter in their district, then they will sit up and take notice. So long as we demonstrate a half-hearted ... maybe we can get a couple of volunteers down to help out ... kind of support for those brave enough to stand up for your Rights, then that is exactly the kind of half-hearted voting record you will get ... excuse me, that you GOT. So if you want to make sure that Amy Salerno stays on our side after she is elected, then make sure she needs us to stay in office. Make no mistake about it. Amy is a shooter. Amy is on our side philosophically. But if you want to make sure that the glitter of big money and big power doesn't turn her head, then make sure she needs us. Out by Frank Rd. where I was in the land of blue ribbons tied to mailboxes, "gimmy rigs" parked in driveways and Ducks Unlimited stickers on cars, it's clear that the threat of opposition literature in every voter's hand has real meaning. So don't sit on your butt whining and complaining about "backstabbers." Don't get mad, get even. Citizens Against Crime suggests you fill out the postcard in this issue and volunteer to distribute literature for pro-gun candidates. Grab a stack of literature and a couple of buddies and cover a ward or two. If you lost the postcard, then just call the PRO number. If you play a role in putting literature in the hand of every voter in Amy's district, no matter what happens, I can assure you, we will not be sorry. NRA... The NRA did not want PRO to file a lawsuit against the city of Columbus. They did not want grassroots organizations. They do not want individual state rallies or a national rally in Washington, D.C. Through our persistence, the NRA helped PRO members file a lawsuit against Columbus. The NRA won. Through our successful efforts as a grassroots organization, and of others all across the country, the NRA now holds Grassroots seminars at it's convention each year. The NRA is still against a national rally and gave no support towards the individual rallies across our country during the Fourth of July weekend. They do have some valid points: people showing up in camo and hunting outfits; someone bringing a gun; and not enough people showing up. All of these are valid points, as were their points against the PRO lawsuit and grassroots organizations across our great land. But we persevered, and they came around. Now the common man is telling the big guys that it is time for a national rally in Washington, D.C. With the passage of the Brady Law and the possible enactment of the so-called "assault weapon ban" the normal modes of fighting the gun grabbers were no longer working. We were losing on all fronts in Washington. Enough. The Committee of 1776 was formed by a group of patriots across our land from Massachusetts, to Tennessee, to Texas, to Ohio, to Missouri. From this group came the 25 individual state rallies. Idaho. Ohio. California. Texas. Michigan. Louisiana. Nevada. Arkansas. Arizona. And all the rest. Patriots in each state obtained the permits, paid the fees, raised money for advertising, designed flyers, and invited speakers. They did a damn fine job, especially in such a short amount of time. Most of the rallies had several thousand participants. Very few showed up in camo, and no one brought a working firearm. Now, maybe the NRA and other national gun groups will see the advisability of helping the Committee of 1776 put on a national rally next year. This edition of the PROponent is going out to the grassroots leaders and organizers in the other states that held rallies and will hold rallies in the near future. The editors say to them a job well done under difficult conditions, and we hope to keep in contact with these patriots over the coming years. Thanks. The 1994 N.R.A. Convention Minneapolis, Mn. May 20 - 24, 1994 By: James D. Ramm When I attended the 123rd Annual Meeting of the Members of the National Rifle Association of America as a newly elected Director I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The Minneapolis Hilton and Towers, the headquarters hotel where I stayed, was beautiful. When I checked in at the NRA office all of the staff greeted me and were very polite and helpful. They answered all my questions and then handed me "THE PACKET". The packet was a gray envelope which contained all the reports from the February meeting of the Board Of Directors. When stacked up these reports and related paperwork were about 3 to 4 inches thick. It was suggested that I read this material by Monday (the first Board Meeting - it was now Thursday) so that I would be "up to speed" on the topics of discussion. Along with "THE PACKET" I was prodded with lots of other "reading material" such as copies of law suits, articles from various newspapers around the country (mostly anti-NRA) and other items of interest. I spent most of the day sticking my nose in various committee meetings which were in progress (just to see what they were like). That evening there was an informal "town hall" meeting to discuss points of concern such as planned marches on Washington D.C. (most felt it was a bad idea and that energies should be directed to the state level). On Friday it was more of the "nose in the door" tactics in the committee meetings. As I was snooping around I bumped into Chairman, Mike Regan, and Past-chairman, Dave Stockham In the "Grass Roots Session". There was a lot of good information In this session which P.R.O. should be able to put to use. I managed to spend about two hours in the exhibit hall on Friday afternoon. If I'd known I wouldn't make It back until Sunday, and then only for about an hour, I'd have spent more time. The exhibit hall was loaded with displays from all "the big guys" like Remington, Smith & Wesson, Leupold, etc. It was great being able to "pick the brains" of all their service and sales reps. It was on a scale that I envision one day for P.R.O.'s gun shows. I also spent some time helping out at the Law Enforcement Alliance of America's booth. (For those of you who aren't familiar with L.E.A.A. yet; it is a coalition of Law Enforcement Officers, Crime Victims, and Concerned Citizens united to further victim's rights, keep criminals behind bars, and preserve law abiding citizens 2nd amendment rights.) I would suggest that all P.R.O. members consider joining L.E.A.A. (An annual membership is only $20.00.) I'm one of L.E.A.A.'s area representatives for Ohio and would be happy to answer any questions anyone might have about the organization. Now, back to the convention! Saturday and Sunday were made up of more meetings and receptions. The annual meeting of members was well attended and lasted over six hours. I spent as much time as I could "rubbing elbows" and making acquaintances which might prove beneficial to P.R.O. in the future. Two things which seemed to occupy everyone's thoughts was how to best address the ever-increasing mountain of anti-gun legislation at the state and federal level and how to link local/grassroots level energies with national level knowledge and experience. I, as well as everyone else concerned with the P.R.O. gun movement, will be giving these two topics a great deal of thought in the coming months. (If anyone has any good ideas on how to address these issues please let me know so I can pass them on.) Monday and Tuesday were two very interesting days in my life. They were also very educational. I'm referring, of course, to the meeting of the Board of Directors. There was a great deal of discussion regarding the election of officers, particularly the position of President. As you all probably know by now, Tom Washington, the former 1st Vice President, was elected President. Marion Hammer, creator of the Eddie Eagle gun safety program, was elected 1st V.P., and Neal Knox was elected 2nd V.P. There was discussion as to the possibility of deviating from the "normal progression" and electing Marion Hammer to the position of President. The discussion was "heated" at times. The one thing which stuck out in my mind was that, unlike most elections for U.S. President, we had two extremely well qualified candidates to choose from. Although there was some division amongst the Directors prior to the election everyone agreed that once it was over the Board of Directors as well as the entire membership, some 3.4 million strong, must get behind the President 100% in order to face the coming battles. I feel this is happening. We almost ran out of time on Tuesday and a few of the Directors had to leave early. A few of the more memorable moments for me were things like sharing a cab with Joe Foss and his wife while returning to the hotel from the Tanya Tucker concert Saturday night, getting a close-up look at the original .44 Dragoon which was presented to exiting President Bob Corbin (this gun was found in unfired, "white steel" condition and engraved and gold plated just for Bob), and being present for the Friday night banquet when the "American Hero Awards" T.V. show was taped for broadcast at a later time. All in all the entire week was a very memorable experience and I would recommend that anyone who has the opportunity attend in the future. For you folks with the planning calendars next years convention will be May 19 23 and it will be held in Phoenix, Az. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me in my "bid for the Board". Some of the organizations I'd like to thank are, First and foremost, The People's Rights Organization, L.E.A.A. and its executive director Jim Fotis and his staff, the members and Board of O.C.D.C., the O.G.C.A., the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association, the TriCounty Sportsmen's Club, the Oakland Park Conservation Club, and the members of the F.O.P. who know that Dewey is not the true voice of the rank and file police officer. I will do the very best job I can to represent you on the national level. Again, I'd like to hear from anyone with ideas or concerns. My address is: James D. Ramm P.O. Box 692 Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-0692 WITCH OF WACO... On July 5, 1994, the Cleveland radio stations announced that Janet Reno, the "take full blame" butcher of Waco, would be in Columbus, Ohio on the following day. After several calls from Cleveland to the PRO hotline, PRO activated it's phone tree and let people know that she would be on the west side of the Statehouse at 1 pm the next day. They were also asked to bring appropriate signs for the occasion. Appearing with Reno were Ohio's AG Lee Fisher, FOP union president Dewey Stokes, Columbus Police Chief James Jackson, Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes, two police officers and several other speakers. These dignitaries were at the Statehouse to help Reno help Clinton pass his crime bill and assault "weapon" ban. As one-o-clock approached, the powers that be moved the "rally" inside due to the heat and construction noise outside. It could have been moved because of crowd control. Between 12:30 and 1:00 pm, the protestors arrived. Some were carrying signs. Some babies. Some flags. All signs and flags had to be removed from poles and sticks. (The banning of free-speech-on-a-stick seems to be the latest government anti-freedom ploy) The protestors were forced to stand at the rear and sides of the Atrium so that "paid" employees of Lee Fisher could be closest to Reno and his exaltedness. The "paid" attendance by Fisher's employees was issued by phone mail when they saw the number of protestors in the Atrium. They were also told not to worry about clocking in or out, just go to the "rally". When the speakers began, the heckling and cat-calls also began, drowning out all the speakers. Several gentleman showed up in battle-dress and out-shouted everybody else. The Dispatch said that there were only a dozen or so protestors at the "rally". In actuality, there were between 80 and a hundred there. There were about 12 people there in favor of the crime bill, Reno, Fisher or the Fraternal Order of Police union president. It is not sure what their signs meant when they said "Stop Crime, Stop Violence." They were rather quiet compared to those that were protesting Reno. After the rally, members of PRO were able to discover the itinerary of Reno in her effort to enslave freedom loving Americans. Calls were made to people in Houston, Baton Rouge, Oakland and Petaluma. They were informed of Reno's impending arrival and wouldn't it be nice if they could arrange a reception as nice as Columbus did for the Witch of Waco. Houston did the same as Columbus, when they tracked her down and hooted and hollered til she left Texas. One thing that was done wrong was the interruption of the police officers that spoke at the rally. Most of the beat cops are on our side, and we need to support them. When we denied them their First Amendment rights, we denied ourselves the ability to convert new allies. The officer from Dayton spoke about the shooting death of his partner in Dayton, Ohio. The Dispatch said that he was shot by an automatic AR15. We know that it was done with a semi-automatic. Did the Dispatch get their information from the speech, or did they make it up. Who knows? No one could hear! WHEN TO HECKLE; WHEN TO SHUT UP ... If you think our rally at the statehouse didn't jerk a few anti-gun chains, then you didn't hear about the anti-rally quickly put together by Lee Fisher (of the Ohio Attorney General office and Handgun Control Inc.) and Janet (gas-em and burn-em) Reno of the Marxoid Clinton administration. They got a big show by shipping in a national figure, ordering police leadership (Dewey, of course didn't need to be ordered) to attend and getting state workers to fill out the rally (time doubtless paid for by taxpayers). A few pro-gunners showed up in camo who loudly heckled Reno, Fisher and a few others. Normally, PRO has been a strong advocate of NOT heckling anti-gun speakers and NEVER wearing camo or Dan'l Boone outfits to hearings, meetings or rallies, but we want to make a slight exception here. The reason is that both Fisher and Reno are admitted criminals. PRO always supports the First Amendment Right of anyone including Sarah Brady to speak advocating anything including the repeal of the entire Bill of Rights. As long as she remains a law-abiding citizen she ought to have the Right to speak her mind. We also have the same Right to speak ours. But, when you commit crimes, you lose your rights. Sure, these government officials haven't been convicted or even charged, but that's exactly the problem, isn't it? Lee Fisher has publicly been quoted as stating that his implementation of the "Brady Bill" is illegal, but that it's OK because he says it will be fixed soon. Great! I'll use my gun to rob a bank today, but it's ok because I won't rob one tomorrow? PROponent readers are well aware that the crimes of Waco, Texas Davidian operation are legion, despite a government whitewash. Janet Reno has said, "I take full responsibility." To our mind this is a full admission of guilt for all of the crimes of murder, illegal search and seizure, evidence tampering, jury tampering etc. that went on. She says, in effect, it was a conspiracy and I, Janet Reno, am the head conspirator! PRO sees no problem with screaming gun owners pointing out these crimes as these self-confessed criminals attempt to push their agenda of control upon a sleeping public. However, we STILL say: NEVER wear camo or Dan'l Boone outfits. Why? Well, you tell me what the point of dressing up is. Sure, you have the right to wear what you please, but the anti-gunners have been promoting the lie that gun owners are all a bunch of inbred kooks and psychos who just might go nuts at any time and start shooting. Pictures in the media of people wearing outfits that reinforce kookyness and instability just does the work for the other side. If you are going to heckle government criminals ALWAYS dress like you are from the Rush Limbaugh TV studio audience. PRO has had great success with the business suit, polite approach to protests. Which leads us to the second rule of heckling. NEVER heckle or make noise at any government hearing or city council meeting. Always be respectful and polite. It makes no difference if Satan himself is acting as chairperson. To do any less gives the anti-gun press and anti-gun politicians an opening to dismiss all the massive public opposition to their proposals as just noise from a few "nuts". If a few loud-mouths give them a hammer, they will most certainly hit us all with it. Goading gun owners into noisy protest so lawmakers can dismiss opposition seems to be a new tactic of HCI and the anti-gun press. A hearing in Westchester County, NY became noisy when: "An estimated 1,400 people thronged the auditorium, cheering speeches that opposed the plans and shouting down the smattering of gun-control advocates who argued that stiffer regulations could curb crime and promote safety," stated The Daily Item of June 28, 1994. An anti-gun letter to the editor chimed in, "Unfortunately, the mood of those assembled was like that of an ancient crowd gathered in the Roman Coliseum to watch gladiators spill blood. Despite sincere efforts by officers of the gun owners association to quiet the crowd, speakers favoring the proposals were repeatedly interrupted by yells, jeers and boos. Many of the speakers opposing the proposals yelled, pointed, ridiculed and threatened the legislators." This allowed council chairman Davis to dismiss all opposition to his proposals. "While the turnout showed that the gun lobby was a potent force in Westchester, Davis said the crowd's behavior helped convince him that stricter laws were needed," said the newspaper. "We had grown people in there acting like fools," Davis said. "That impressed me like nothing else." Compare the above impressions with a pro-gun description of the meeting: "Mr. Davis was in full control all during the hearing. There was no massive demonstration by the audience. No one left seats. At no time were any threatening gestures made. The Westchester County police officers stood idly by and had nothing to do. This meeting was a credit to all citizens of Westchester regardless of their views. Each speaker was courteous, well-informed, and quite eloquent in expressing views." "Why state Attorney General G. Oliver Koppel was called first, we do not quite understand. He clearly did not belong at this meeting; he is not a Westchester County resident and was clearly plugging for election. He did not even have the courtesy to hear those who voiced opinions against the resolutions. Each speaker was given three minutes. When Koppel had spoken for more than five minutes, several people raised three fingers and pointed to their watches. Mr. Koppel continued to speak, which generated a plea from the audience to Davis that he require the speaker to stop. Both the chairman and the speaker continued to show contempt for the large well-behaved audience." "The article on June 28 is inaccurate to the point of being a willful deliberate distortion to portray a whole group of law-abiding citizens as a "rowdy crowd". Which meeting did your reporter attend? What you have done with this style of 'reporting' is far more dangerous that all of the firearms owned by every member of the audience during the public hearing." Remember, if you let them get to you and you start to yell, they will close ranks with the jackal press and we all get hurt. DEAR PRO ... Although, I am not a member of your organization, I enjoy reading articles in your publication concerning the Second Amendment rights of the American people. I agree wholeheartedly with your position that, the Second Amendment refers to individual rights of American citizens to own and bear arms. However, there is an article on page 4 of the June 1994 issue that causes me some concern. In "Ohio Continues Assault on Rights...", you refer to "Jews Metzenbaum and Schumer..." in castigating them for their part in gun control legislation. I have no problem with their castigation (they should be castigated), but when you identify them as Jews, you imply that, somehow, all Jews are to be castigated for anti-gun legislation. You do not identify Sarah Brady as that Catholic Brady, or Ted Kennedy as that Catholic Kennedy, or President Clinton as that Baptist Clinton (or whatever). Further into the article, you refer to "... some of Schumer's fellow New York City Jews." I'm not sure just what that means. Is a New York City Jew different than Jews in other parts of the United States? If so. does this also apply to Protestants and Catholics? If not, why not? Whether you meant to, or not, you have used the same propagandistic tactics that the Klu Klux Klan, Neo-Nazi Skinheads and other hate groups use in their attempt to stir hatred of Jews as a group. You single out high profile people, as Jews, to imply that, somehow, Jews are the root cause of the problem. That, my friend, is anti-semitism'. And, I resent it. I might point out that, the vast majority of the U.S. Congress that voted for the Brady Bill and the Crime Bill was Christian, not Jewish'. I wonder what that says? I am strongly against any legislation that limits my rights under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I am also Jewish and from New York City. I would like to support all organizations that will help the American people retain their Second Amendment rights, but, not if they are anti-semitic, subversive, or, in any other way, un-American. I would appreciate if you would respond to my letter and let me know if you meant the article to be anti-semitic. If you did, then we will go our separate ways and you will have my contempt. If you did not, then I would appreciate your stating so to me personally, and, to your other readers, in your next issue and you will have my support. Yours truly. Arthur C. Friedman Columbus, OH [Editors: PRO has two problems: Jews and blacks. The problem is that we can't seem to get enough of them as members. You, Mr Friedman, demonstrate our problem right in the first sentence of your letter: "I am not a member of your organization." Quite frankly, we have a hard time understanding how the decedents of slaves and the children of The Holocaust can give such unthinking support to that part of the leadership of their respective communities which is clearly working toward some modern reinstatement of those former times. [PRO does not like to use the term "The Holocaust" because it makes it sound like some distant historical event that can't happen again. Even modern history proves that premise false.] You correctly surmised that the statements in the article were purposeful, but they were not intended to be, nor were they, anti-semitic. PRO has been struggling for some time to somehow generate a discussion of the gun control issue within that portion of the Jewish community that recognizes the danger posed by an armed government and an unarmed citizenry. We could, of course, just get on our soapbox and begin to preach, but the editors felt that this would likely be dismissed as just so much talk from a "Christian-right" gun group. How much better, we thought, if a dialogue could be generated with the Jewish community. Thus, we inserted a few strongly (but carefully) worded statements to see if we could find some takers. Our first attempt failed, but this time we are very pleased to have received your (surprisingly mild) letter. So let's talk. The problem as we see it is a Jewish leadership composed of the likes of Metzenbaum, Schumer, B'nai B'rith Hillel, various media owners etc. who are promoting a National Socialism (Nazi) agenda which many in the Jewish community unthinkingly accept as "reasonable." Astoundingly, they accept these positions despite all of Jewish history screaming out a warning. History shows whenever a gentile government needs a scapegoat to deal with this or that political problem, the Jews are always handy. From the days when the plague in Europe was called the "Jewish disease" to the "final solution" in Germany, killing Jews has always been politically expedient. Were those millions of Jews who went quietly and willingly to their deaths "wonderful" martyrs? No they weren't! Is a gunless and defenseless population who quietly submits to death at the hands of criminals, the moral high ground as many in the Jewish leadership contend? No way! Any Jew who does not defend himself or herself when someone tries to kill him violates Jewish law. Think about why this should be so. By failing to use the power at your disposal to defend your life you are literally causing one murder to occur (your own) plus you are additionally responsible for all the murders committed by that criminal after yours. These are murders which you by choice had the power to stop. In spite of the Christian doctrine of "turn the other cheek," the Catholic church strongly supports the right of self-defense. The Catholic leadership has supported gun control, particularly for African countries where tribes are slaughtering each other, but has always been careful to support gun ownership for self-defense. PRO has reported instances of priests defending themselves and the Church leadership has always defended the self-defense use of guns even in that case. Hence, "Catholics" Brady and Kennedy are nothing less than heretics by promoting their policies of a defenseless population. They are no different than "Jews" Metzenbaum and Schumer who advocate the violation of Jewish law. One particular religious group you will often hear us complain about are the Methodists where the entire church leadership has sold out to the anti-gun agenda. It is difficult for PRO to build bridges to the Jewish community because of the cultural differences between Jewish law which forbids sport hunting, (so who cares about guns?) and the "traditional" red-neck gun owner who often buys the current line that "sporting purpose" guns are not what they are after. Both are dead wrong. The Second Amendment is NOT about duck hunting! When those Jews who could, left Germany for Palestine, what happened? They found themselves in a hostile land surrounded by Arabs (who are also Semites!) and others (like Persians) all swearing blood oaths to kill every last Jew. The eminently successful answer was not the policy of "gun control" that we hear coming out of much of the American Jewish leadership today, but rather the establishment of an armed Militia composed of all citizens. The same idea that made Switzerland too tough a nut to crack for the mighty Nazi war machine that rolled over many larger nations like "lightning." That's right, the same concept that enabled a few rag-tag American farmers to face down the strongest power on earth, the British crown. So here is the odd situation. In Israel an armed militia of all citizens keeps the country from being pushed into the sea, while in New York City the Jewish leadership promotes the policy of a defenseless population, naked, with head down, shuffling off to quietly face their doom. The results are widely known. Israel is saved. New York and Washington D.C. become the cesspools of the planet. PRO does have a lot of criticism for New York City. You say you are "from New York." We don't know if that means you like so many others got tired of the crime, the corruption, the aggression, the greed of NYC and came here to relax and enjoy living or if you are a "New Yorker" and are gritting your teeth putting up with "Cowtown" counting the days until you return, but in either case the story is the same. I was born in Ohio and I can tell you that a lot of "backwoods" behavior does go on here. We may not have the art, the music, the restaurants, and the "culture" so important to the service of the rich, but neither do we have the level of crime, drugs, graffiti, political corruption that bankrupted city government, or Wall Street con men stealing millions. (Well ok, we did have the savings and loan mess, but nobody is perfect.) The reason we have it in for New York City, is that it's leadership (including the Jewish leadership) have been using their positions of power to spread these failed policies throughout the rest of the country. They get on national television and have the chutzpa to say that the reason crime is so bad in NYC is because people in Ohio own guns! The New York Jewish community leadership then uses their influence in other Jewish communities to spread hate and fear. They imply that every gentile gun owner is at best just a latent Klansman or Neo-Nazi just itching to kill Jews. They do this with a straight face while promoting American versions of the same Nazi gun laws that insured defenseless victims for the German Genocide. The net effect is simply to promote anti-semitism among many Christian-right gun owners who see Jews, as a group, after their guns. The right-wing mistake, of course, is failure to distinguish an anti-gun Jewish leadership, a Jewish majority that just goes along with these policies without thinking them through, and the pro-gun Jewish minority that has thought about them. The right-wingers just call them all "Zionists" which only convinces the Jewish community that the "latent Klansmen" assessment was correct. To help counter this view, PRO thought it would be a nifty idea to find a rabbi to do the invocation at our statehouse rally. We talked to Aaron Zelman of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO, whose members, we pointed out in the article you questioned, recently saved Hawaii) and he said "in Columbus, Ohio?" not a chance. Such is the influence of anti-gun Jewish leadership. Sure PRO has its share of red-neck gun owners, but we also have blacks, educated professionals and others from all groups and creeds. In short, PRO is about what America is about. In the past, we have had anti-semitic members but they stomped off in a huff when we distributed the pro-gun interview with Dachau survivor Theodore Haas in an early newsletter. That interview came from JPFO, an organization with which PRO maintains close ties. While the NRA has been afraid to even review JPFO books in apparent fear of losing some more right-wing members or being accused of anti-semitic activities, PRO has never been afraid to point out a "Jewish" leadership that promotes the murder of thousands by working to deprive them of the means of self-defense, that steals from the working class by putting a gun to their head and demanding money for "good" causes, or by bearing false witness with lie after lie to promote their agenda of control. (A prime example here is gun-grabber and top government spender Metzenbaum) We don't know what you think, but we find these activities pretty much in violation of the Law of Moses. So what should you do Mr. Friedman? While you threaten to "go our separate ways", we would point out that you never joined us in the first place. Join us now. As a minority, you will surely have a much bigger stake in the outcome of this struggle than many of us. You don't have to be a hunter to join PRO, but you do need an abiding faith in the principles of the Constitution of the United States and a willingness to affirm that we are all Americans together. We hope you will also show a willingness to fight those who say that some are to be "more equal than others." We also strongly recommend that if you are not already a member of JPFO, you sign up at once! This editor is not Jewish, but I have been a JPFO member since the group was founded. If you have questions about Jewish law and self-defense, they can explain these things with far greater authority and in greater detail than can we. And lastly let me give one selfish reason why we want you on our side. Jews have a reputation. That reputation is that when they put their minds to something, it gets done. Join us and let's get it done! Let's see to it that "Never again!" includes this land you call home.] ____________________________________________________________ "All people, Jews or gentiles, who dare not defend themselves when they know they are right, who submit to punishment not because of what they have done, but because of who they are, are already dead by their own decision" Dr. Bruno Bettelheim, Psychologist and former prisoner at Dachau and Buchenwald. [editors: If you think this statement doesn't apply to gunowners today, you had better read it again!] ____________________________________________________________ SHOES... We are the shoes, we are the last witnesses. We are the shoes from grandchildren and grandfathers, >From Prague,Paris, and Amsterdam, And because we are only made of fabric and leather And not of blood and flesh, each one of us avoided the hell fire. Moses Schulstein, Yiddish poet. Over 11,000,000 people were murdered in the Nazi death camps and over 6,000 communities were wiped out. Entire populations suffered the "final solution" during the Second World War. With this momentous barbarism in their recent history, is it any wonder that the editors make a point of reminding our readers that Metzenbaum and Schumer are Jewish. It is very hard for us to understand their fervor to disarm Americans when Treblinka and Auswichtz are still living memories. That is why we point out the religious background of a Jewish person that is in favor of gun control. ____________________________________________________________ "The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time." Thomas Jefferson, 1774 ____________________________________________________________ DEAR MS. PRYCE ... The following letter was sent to the PROponent editors to print and we are happy to do so, since it is a fine example of how each and every PRO member should be expressing themselves to their elected representatives. The Honorable Deborah Pryce The United States House of Representatives Dear Congresswoman Pryce: I voted for you in the last election, trusting you to make objective decisions in Washington. However, with your vote against H.R. 4296 I have come to realize you have become tainted with the subjective thinking in Washington. Quote from The Columbus Dispatch dated May 6, 1994: "While I have been, and will continue to be, a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, I believe that every citizen has the right to feel safe and secure in his or her home and on the streets. That is why I supported the assault weapons ban." You and others who voted against H.R. 4296 should hang your heads in shame. You have betrayed me, your other constituents, and the very Constitution you have sworn to uphold. You can rationalize all you want, but the fact remains you compromised the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. You have a responsibility to protect every law abiding citizens rights by honoring the Second Amendment. Yes, every citizen has the right to feel safe and secure as you stated, but the only way to accomplish this objectively is swift decisive punishment of criminals, especially those using firearms in the commission of a crime. It's elementary, the criminal robs us of our safety and security, not the weapons used in the commission of the crime. The CRIMINAL is the problem to be controlled! As our nation continues to decline, you and others of your persuasion can bear the responsibility for helping destroy one of the greatest Republics in the history of the world! Our children, and grandchildren will suffer greatly because of your political expediency and arrogance in ignoring the Second Amendment. I shall exercise my right in the next election to vote against you and others who compromised the Second Amendment. I will urge others to do likewise. I know you will not find this letter "politically correct," but the truth never is. G. Don Reed Grove City, Ohio ____________________________________________________________ Kudos and Corrections Kudos: The PROponent received a very favorable review in the July, '94 issue of Your Liberty newsletter. They said in part, "... I read this stuff as closely as I do because what's happening in Ohio *isn't unique*. The members of this Columbus, Ohio-based organization evidently keep their ears *very close to the ground*, for each newsletter is *full* of information on the activities of those who seem committed to taking our guns." [Editors: Yes, we do. Sometimes the stuff we find out about even amazes us!] "I also like the writers' no-bullshit style. In this world of politically correct verbiage, it's nice to see someone who *isn't afraid* to get in a liar's face and challenge him or her to put up or shut up. My only complaint is that ... I don't know who wrote what in the PROponent." [Editors: and we thought we were just harmless little lovable fuzzballs! As we have pointed out in the past, those pieces without a "byline" are written by one or both of the editors. Subscriptions to Your Liberty are $19.50 a year sent to: Liberty, PO Box 1181, Port Townsend Wa 98368] Correction: In the last issue in the piece entitled CHOICES... PRO writers fell victim to the tabloid press. Of course, the first sentence should have read, "As the result of the recent double murder in California alleged to have been committed by a sports star," etc. We regret the error. Let's make it very clear that *the jury* will decide OJ's guilt or innocence. We did not mean to imply we think he is guilty. If anything, the fact that Time magazine faked a mug shot to make him look more sinister makes us think that when the owned media is doing a hatchet job like they are in this case, truth is likely pretty well hidden. Credit: There has been considerable uproar as to whether or not the Hitler quote on page 9 of our June '94 issue is bogus. The quote originally appeared in the Spring '91 issue of Handgun Tests (the one published by Phil Engeldrum of Venture CA, now edited by Lee Engeldrum of El Paso TX.) We wrote them asking for a source, but they have not responded. Aaron Zelman of JPFO noted that the 1935 date seemed too early for German gun registration laws, but did not discount an early German newspaper as a possible source. We will continue to dig. ____________________________________________________________ END OF WORLD NEAR ... As you know, the editors read many publications including our local "alternative" newspapers which helps keeps us informed about the touchy-feely crowd. But this week was amazing. First the Guardian had a piece blasting Rush Limbaugh and unlike the usual- "my editor told me to do this so I watched Rush for 5 minutes and couldn't stand it, so I'll just make up the rest of the story as I go along" - type article, this one actually had facts and quotes showing where Rush made mistakes! AND THEN! There was a report in the July 13-20 Columbus Alive! on the "Reno Rally" that was fair, factual, had many pro-gun quotes from Ken Brodbeck of OCDC and other pro-gunners, had no anti-gun "stinger" on the end - telling how the FOP favors gun control-, and in fact was - dare I use these words? - almost sympathetic! Why, the whole News Briefs section seemed to be a tribute to what real journalism is supposed to be about. Some of these Alt.Papers have actually started covering country music performers when they come to town. Did I misunderstand or is that comet going to hit Earth instead of Jupiter? PRO GUN POLITICIANS NEED YOUR HELP... by Richard Hale One of the most effective efforts to preserve your second amendment rights is to help pro gun political candidates. The one thing these candidates need more than money, is volunteers. It takes a small army of volunteers to run a successful political campaign. Volunteers distribute literature door-to-door, prepare mailings, operate phone banks, do data entry, and other activities. You can make the difference in a successful campaign. Let pro gun politicians know they can depend upon large numbers of volunteers to help them get reelected. This knowledge will increase their resolve to stand with us when faced with political pressure. There are several candidates right now whose primary strategy is to rely on PRO to turn out the volunteers. Do not let them down. All of us can do something. If you are willing to help, complete the enclosed post card and put it in the mail today. PAYOFF... On July 10, 1994 there appeared in the Columbus Dispatch a tiny article of two paragraphs stating that the Labor Department had developed a job-training grant of $684,545 for 60 civilian workers losing their jobs at the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. The grant will go to the Private Industry Council of Columbus and to Franklin County and will provide income support plus services, including testing, counseling, job clubs and job search assistance. Is this part of the pay-off for Kasich's traitorous vote on the so-called "assault weapon ban"? Seems like a good start. What a trade! They get our Rights and we get an army of bureaucrats in return. WRITE A LETTER ... As we indicated last month Mark Fisher, Editor of the Dispatch Forum page was invited to our May meeting to give us some tips to help PRO members write better letters to the editor. Nothing is as important as getting our message out to the general public and you should never forget that the "letters" page is usually one of the most popular sections of the newspaper. But getting printed is often not so easy. For starters, the Dispatch typically gets five times as many letters as it can print. Right off the bat, your chances of not getting printed are 5 to 1. Mark pointed out that there are ways to improve your chances. First be short and to the point. Letters over 200 words are seldom printed. Also write often and don't be discouraged by letters going into the circular file ... remember: five to one chances. Another way to improve chances is to look for a new angle. Editors don't like to hear the same old arguments over and over. (Mark didn't say this but your editors will: unless it's an anti-gun slogan!) Mark just hit the reference books on his desk and came up with the fact that there are more duck hunters than skiers and more target shooters than backpackers. Just that quick you have two new "angles" for pro-gun letters. And don't forget the lesser neighborhood papers. PROponent editors have had virtually ALL their letters printed in smaller papers while letters to the Dispatch run at only about 20% or less. And nobody ever accused us of not writing kick-butt prose. CALENDAR... Guns shows for the next year are as follows: Aug. 6-7 Hilliard Aug. 27-28 Circleville Oct. 8-9 Hilliard Nov. 12-13 Circleville Nov. 25-26-27 Hilliard Dec. 10-11 Circleville Dec. 31-Jan. 1 Hilliard Jan. 14-15 Circleville Feb. 4-5 Hilliard Feb. 11-12 Marion Feb. 25-26 Circleville Mar. 4-5 Hilliard Mar. 24-25 Circleville To reserve tables at the shows, please call: 614-523-7767. All show times are 9-5 Saturday, and 9-4 Sunday. Friday times are from 2 til 8pm. Admission prices are $5.00 in Hilliard, and $4.00 in Circleville, Lancaster and Marion. See you there. Just a reminder that all PRO and PRO-Central guns show profits are 100% used for the defense of the Second Amendment and for the education of the general public in regards to firearm safety. ____________________________________________________________ cartoon shows box of ammo. caption reads: "FOOD FOR GUNS" ____________________________________________________________ KEEP PRESSURE ON THE POLITICIANS... by Richard Hale You can help defend your second amendment rights by keeping the pressure on your elected representatives. Keep the pressure on by letting them know how you feel about pending legislation by writing letters, sending Faxes, and making phone calls. To do this you need timely information. Timely information is where PRO comes in. PRO has contacts at the national, state and local level who contact PRO when a gun issue gets hot. PRO spreads the word through a phone tree. If you who want to be notified of legislative alerts, complete the post card included in this issue of the Proponent and drop it in the mail. The phone tree has coordinators each of whom call approximately ten other gun owners. Coordinators get packets of alert forms and a list of gun owners with their phone number. When a coordinator is notified of a legislative alert, he spreads the word to the other members on his list. Your role on the phone tree could make the difference between maintaining and losing our precious Right to Keep and Bear Arms here in Ohio and in the nation. Please sign up for the phone tree by completing the enclosed post card and dropping it in the mail today. ELECTRONIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE UPDATE... by Dennis Carney As some of you are aware, the Electronic Information Committee a.k.a. the Electronic Warfare Committee has been in operation for some time now. Our basic mission is to utilize computer communications in conjunction with the electronic highways, byways, and back alleys of cyberspace to extend the reach of PRO's educational and research activities. The committee is currently active on the Bluemoon BBS, Compuserve (Outdoor Forum Section 15), and we have just initiated an internet mailing list via the Columbus Freenet. We also make regular "electronic" excursions to other computer bulletin boards around the country to collect and distribute information. One thing that we put out every month is the electronic version of the PROponent. Additionally, we distribute legislative alerts, NRA press releases, law journal articles, court decisions, conspiracy theories, and other items indispensable to the well informed patriot. On a personal note, I enjoy corresponding by electronic mail with people all over the country, and find these "computer" pals to be a great source of friendship and information. Anyone who wants to learn more about electronic communications or how to subscribe to the Electronic Information Committee (EIC) internet mailing list can contact Dennis Carney at the following: Internet: dcarney@freenet.columbus.oh.us Internet: 73427.1615@compuserve.com Compuserve: 73427,1615 Voice: 614/863-5121 (leave message) H.B. 666 ... As you are probably aware, the Ohio Attorney General is a criminal. He has admitted to the press that his implementation of the "Brady" bill violates the law. H.B. 666 was to fix that small problem and therein hangs a tale. Fisher and Anti-gun Co. cooked up a bill placing himself (of course) which is to say Handgun Control Inc. in charge of overseeing the firearms background checks in this state. They asked their uncle tom, Otto Beatty (D-21) to introduce a bill, H.B. 666, which he dutifully did, no doubt after a proper amount of head-hanging and feet shuffling to show respect to his white overseers. Now here's the good part. The bill was introduced into committee, but old Otto was off doing something and couldn't make the meeting on time. While he was gone, Rep. William Batchelder (R-81) introduced a substitute H.B. 666 which removed Fisher from control and put the Peace Officers Training Council in charge. In addition, it removed the fee charged to gun owners and used general fund money. In a monotone while the committee yawned, he introduced his substitute. It was quickly seconded and the committee voted it in without even thinking. Fisher's men went nuts! When Beatty showed up late, his bill was gone! Let's hear it for William Batchelder! Well the anti-gunners eventually got their own bill restored, but now the committee split 8-8 and the bill went nowhere. So unless someone on one side or the other sells out, the bill is stuck and Lee Fisher continues to break the law. MEMBERSHIP REPORT ... by Patricia Johnson PRO gained 3 new members at the Ohio Committee of 1776 Rally on July 2nd and Virginia Johnson operating the voter registration table registered 25 new voters for our side. This month we have gained 13 new members and thanks to the great letter sent out for me by Richard Hale, we have already received 22 renewals from members who had forgotten to renew. H. CON. R. 44 ... There is a movement in this country among state governments to reclaim their sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment. It began in Colorado and a handful of states have joined in. H.Con.R. 44 is a resolution pending in the Ohio General Assembly to add Ohio's voice to the fray. Basically the resolution notes that the Tenth Amendment says, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States are reserved to the States respectively or to the people." The resolution further notes that, " Many federal; mandates are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment..." and that, "The United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992) that Congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states. " H. Con. R. 44 thus serves, "notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, from imposing mandates that are beyond the scope of it's constitutionally delegated powers." The resolution is now in committee and every PRO member is urged to write Ms. Vermel Whalen (D-12), committee chairman and urge passage of this measure out of committee this summer so it can be considered this fall. ____________________________________________________________ The PROponent is published by: Peoples Rights Organization; 5 E. Long St., Suite 412; Columbus, OH 43215; Tel (614) 268-0122 Fax (614) 275-0092 EMAIL: 73427.1615@compuserve.com Michael T. Regan, Chairman; Ron Herman, Vice Chairman Dennis Walker, Secretary; Sherry Herman, Treasurer Editors: Dennis Walker and Frank Jacoby Contributions, either written or financial are gladly accepted. Anyone wishing to reprint all or part of an article from the PROponent may do so. Please mention the PROponent and the issue that the article was in, and send a copy of your publication to our PRO office. (We like to know what your organization is doing too.) Also, PRO will exchange newsletters with any pro-gun, pro-rights, pro-hunting, etc. group to further grass-roots communication. Put us on your newsletter mailing list and we will put your club on ours. PRO general meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, W. Broad St. Columbus, Ohio. "That government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth" _________________________________________________________________