Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- When Hueris Mora came to us, we did what we always do when contacted by someone who is facing gun carry charges.

We set about researching the charges and circumstances of the incident.

Florida Carry only gets involved in these cases when good people face unjust charges because they choose to lawfully carry defensive arms.

In his case, it was immediately apparent that continuing prosecution by the office of Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade State Attorney, was unjust at best. Our consulting attorneys statewide were in unanimous concurrence that prosecution of this case, despite the clear language of 790.053, was completely baseless. The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office must have also known that they were in an untenable position because they quickly agreed to take the possibility of jail time off the table.

Removing the possibility of imprisonment was not an olive branch offered in the interest of justice, it was in fact a Trojan Horse. This underhanded move was their only way to keep prosecuting the case because it had the calculated effect of taking away Mr. Mora’s public defender. Once the Assistant State Attorney prosecuting the case had effectively maneuvered to deprive Mr. Mora of legal counsel, an offer was made. An offer so common in Florida that it is considered the standard plea deal…

“You can retake the concealed course to get your license to carry back but kiss your gun goodbye.”

Hueris knew he was getting the shaft despite having done nothing wrong, so he did what nobody before in Florida (that we know of) had done. He didn’t sign the deal. This was a brave decision despite having no legal help at that time.

Florida Carry has consulting attorneys who do countless hours of pro bono work behalf of our members. Unfortunately, at that time we did not have a criminal defense attorney in Mr. Mora’s area. That’s when we reached out to Jesus “Jojo” Rodriguez. He didn’t blink. Pro bono defense of a truly worthy young man who needs our help? “Absolutely!” was Jojo’s immediate response. Our other attorneys and legal interns rallied together to provide support and Mr. Rodriguez, Florida Carry’s newest consulting attorney, drove this case home. The charge of violating Florida’s Open Carry Ban was dismissed with prejudiced. We finally won this fight that deprived Mr. Mora of his handgun for nearly six months.

Last year, when 2011 SB 234 was debated in the State Legislature, our elected leaders were told about law abiding gun owners being arrested and thrown in jail for even accidental or incidental exposure of lawfully carried firearms. The State Prosecuting Attorneys lobbyist repeatedly said that “Nobody has ever been prosecuted for open carry.” The fact is that nobody ever went all the way to trial. Many have been prosecuted; this was a case where a good man fought back. If this doesn’t meet some lobbyist definition of prosecution, we recommend a new dictionary.

Judge the case docket for yourself: http://tiny.cc/joq5l

It sure looks like prosecution to us.

The Florida Sheriff’s Association sent multiple lobbyists in uniform who said that law enforcement officers will use their “proper discretionary powers” and would never arrest someone for carrying a handgun if it became innocently unconcealed. Yet there is a 25 year history of some officers using subjective language in firearms laws to unreasonably arrest law-abiding people who choose to exercise their right to bear arms. In one such case a man lawfully carrying was permanently injured when handcuffs were put on him with such force that nerves in both wrists were severed. All because part of his handgun became unconcealed.

Early last year, Florida’s Open Carry Ban was amended to insert the subjective language asked for by the Florida Sheriffs and State Prosecuting Attorneys Lobbyist. This compromised language came with their promise that these incidents would stop. Subsequently Mr. Mora had to spend a night deprived of his freedom in jail and half a year fighting for his rights. Every month we are contacted by other law-abiding people who have been confronted, detained, and threatened with arrest because they were lawfully carrying a firearm in Florida and it “printed” through clothing or became unconcealed.

They have broken their promise and we now call on the Florida Legislature to repeal one of the most anti-gun laws in the country.

Despite the Florida Legislature’s clear intent that people who have lawfully carried handguns, which may become innocently unconcealed, face no charges. As long as the general ban on open carry exists, these arrests and prosecutions will continue unabated.

Florida Statute 790.053 is Florida’s very unusual open carry ban, it was a knee jerk reaction when passed in 1987 and it is long overdue for repeal.

We need your membership to make our work possible! Please protect your rights in Florida by joining Florida Carry Today! http://www.FloridaCarry.org/

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 7 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Protecting & Defending Your Civil Rights In The Coming Year

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- In this coming year we will have many decisions to face as Americans.

Federal and Local elections are going to set our direction as a nation; anti-gun bills need to be stopped; pro-gun bills need to be advanced.

The enemies of your civil rights are not resting. Neither are we!

Florida Carry will be communicating with our members and supporters throughout the election cycle to inform you of the record and positions of the candidates you will be asked to choose from.

Bills have already been filed in the Florida Legislature that seek to destroy your right to a means of effective self defense. There are also Florida Carry sponsored and authored bills that will protect our rights.

We need your membership to make our work possible! Please protect your rights in Florida by joining Florida Carry Today! http://www.FloridaCarry.org/

Above all, we hope for the health and safety of your family and friends in this new year. Be vigilant, be prepared, be safe!

Happy New Year!

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 7 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens. Visit: www.open-carry.com

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- Now that we have put teeth in to the state firearms preemption law, usually when we contact cities and counties about their preempted firearms ordinances we have great success in having their unlawful gun control laws removed from the books.

Mostly we get cooperative and constructive replies like this one received yesterday from The Town of Lady Lake:

Dear Mr. Nascak,

Thank you for bring this to my attention. We have recently removed a section in Chapter 10 regarding firearms (Ordinance 2011-22) so that we are in compliance with the FSS, however this section was missed. I apologize and be assured we will rectify this as soon as possible.
Thank you, and happy holidays.

Sincerely,

Kristen

and this reply yesterday from the City of Dunellon:

Mr. Nascak,

After this law passed, the city did a cursory review of its codes and did not see these provisions. The city will amend its codes to comply with State Statutes as soon as possible. It appears that January will be the earliest that the city can begin the process of amending its ordinances.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Lisa Algiereyle
City Manager

Then we have a very few cities who decide to put themselves on Florida Carry’s “Naughty List”. Yesterday The City of Leesburg decided to stick by its anti-gun laws.

Mr. Nascak:

Let’s not get over-zealous with the rhetoric. The City of Leesburg is well aware of FS 790.33. You will note the statute says specifically that local governments are prohibited from “enacting, enforcing, or promulgating ordinances which regulate firearms and ammunition…”. None of these things has occurred since October 1, 2011. There is no requirement that we repeal said laws, as you seem to indicate is necessary. Any action taken in the future regarding the existence of these laws in our Code of Ordinances will be done at the discretion, pleasure, and timing of the Leesburg City Commission.

Sincerely,

Jay M. Evans
City Manager
City of Leesburg, Florida

Actually we are on extremely solid legal ground and will file a lawsuit showing that The City of Leesburg and City Manager Evans are both actively breaking state law.

This is not rhetoric, this is the law and we will demand that it is upheld.

Help us send a lump of coal this Christmas to the City of Leesburg and to City Manager Evans.

• Click this link to Donate to Florida Carry’s Legal Fund Today! or paste this address in your browser: http://tiny.cc/clo4d
• We need your membership to make our work possible! Please protect your rights in Florida by joining Florida Carry Today! http://www.FloridaCarry.org/

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON --(Ammoland.com)- The establishment of a U.S. Department of Agriculture plan to improve fish and wildlife habitat and water quality in the Gulf of Mexico watershed drew praise from American sportsmen, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today.

The Gulf of Mexico Initiative will direct up to $50 million over three years toward conservation assistance to landowners in priority areas along major rivers that drain into the Gulf. Launched via the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the initiative is among the efforts being undertaken by the administration’s Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.

“Sportsmen are encouraged to see this important part of the Gulf restoration equation being addressed by the administration,” said Geoff Mullins, TRCP senior director of policy initiatives and communications.

“A comprehensive approach to conservation and land use for the region – one that focuses not only on the coastal and marine habitats but the lands upstream as well – is the best way to restore the unique Gulf coast ecosystems. What’s at stake is healthy habitat for the coastal fish and wildlife species that are critical to supporting the strong economic engine of hunting and sport fishing throughout the region.”

The Gulf of Mexico Initiative comprises five Gulf Coast states – Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas – and focuses funds restoring water supplies, wildlife populations and fisheries associated with riverside communities and cities in these states. Sixteen priority watersheds are targeted for participation in the Gulf of Mexico Initiative.

“Like so many of our most identifiable waters, the Gulf of Mexico has water quality challenges that get their start hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away from the Gulf itself,” said Steve Kline, director of the TRCP Center for Agricultural and Private Lands. “Hunters and anglers across the country – not just on the Gulf Coast – applaud the administration’s support of these outdoors-dependent economies.

“A clean Gulf of Mexico begins in a flooded Texas rice field, a Mississippi cotton field, an Alabama pine stand and a citrus grove in Florida,” Kline continued. “Sound upstream conservation efforts like the USDA Gulf of Mexico Initiative underline the importance of a holistic, watershed-based approach that invests money wisely in places where real impacts can be made and benefit the public for generations to come.”

“Nationally, activities related to fishing support more than 1 million jobs and contribute almost $125 billion annually to the economy, with the Gulf region alone supporting more than 82,000 jobs and $8 billion in economic output” said American Sportfishing Association President and CEO Mike Nussman. “If we want to improve our financial situation we should continue to invest in our open spaces. The Gulf of Mexico Initiative takes steps in this direction, and we appreciate the government’s investments in the Gulf’s natural resources, citizens and economy.”

• Learn more about the TRCP’s work in support of responsible marine fisheries management.
• Learn about the TRCP’s efforts to conserve America’s agricultural and privately owned lands.

About:
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the tradition of hunting and fishing. Visit: www.trcp.org

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- From a group that’s well known for filing lawsuits comes another stunt to grab attention—and possibly cause other serious long-term problems.

The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) is offering a $500 reward for anyone who documents the existence of the South Florida rainbow snake.

Just last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the snake extinct. The CBD is now claiming that the snake may still exist. The group wants to find evidence of the snake and have it listed under the Endangered Species Act.

In case you are wondering how this might affect hunting, trapping, and fishing, having the snake listed as an endangered species instead of extinct could possibly allow the CBD to go to court and ask for severe restrictions on things like recreation and development in areas where the snake might be found. One extreme result could be bans on hunting, fishing, and trapping or closures for sportsmen’s access in these areas.

Similar closings of vast areas of land occurred when an ivory-billed woodpecker —another critically endangered or possibly extinct species— was reportedly found in Arkansas a few years back.

The South Florida rainbow snake was one of the more than 300 species that the CBD wants protected under federal programs.

These large, rampant CBD petitions waste large sums of taxpayer dollars and cause great drains on USFWS manpower and resources.

Full details on the CBD snake promotion are at http://tiny.cc/0jag7

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- On the second Saturday of each month, Florida Carry holds local meetings for our members and other second amendment advocates throughout the state.

These meetings are informal and hosted by local volunteers who work with local officials to insure that they are pleasant events for everyone. The public is invited!

Many participants Open Carry and fish during these events. Other participants carry concealed and may or may not fish at the meetings. These monthly events are a great way for local second amendment advocates to network, keep up-to-date on current legislation & litigation, and make new friends.

The newest location for these meeting is in the Miami Area at Miami-Dade’s Black Point Marina Park. We will enjoy a morning of Fishing and answer any questions about Florida Carry, the lawsuits pending or in progress, current legislation, and our other efforts to support Florida gun owners.

Florida Carry has identified and worked with over 300 cities, counties, and state agencies to remove unlawful gun control ordinances and signs. The vast majority of those jurisdictions have subsequently repealed their ordinances and pulled down their anti-gun signs. We are pleased to report that we have suspend filing lawsuits against Miami and Miami-Dade pending the planned repeal of their dangerous gun control ordinances this month. These kinds of laws have proven to only protect criminals while leaving the law abiding defenseless and we will be happy to see them gone.

Currently, Florida Carry’s “Second Amendment Saturday” events are held simultaneously in:

• Daytona Beach
  ( Port Orange Causeway Park )
• Orlando
  ( Lake Underhill Park )
• Tampa
  ( Sunshine Skyway North Pier ) *Board Member Present
• Jacksonville
  ( Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier ) *Board Member Present
• Melbourne
  ( Front Street Park )
• Ft. Lauderdale
  ( Everglades Holiday Park )
• Ft. Myers
  ( Centennial Park ) *Board Member Present
• Miami-Dade
  ( Black Point Marina Park ) *Board Member Present

You will need your fishing license to fish and you have to be fishing (or going to and from) to Carry Openly.
Concealed Carry requires a valid Concealed Carry License and fishing is not necessary unless you are carrying unconcealed.

If you are planning on bringing a firearm, please abide by these Three Simple Rules: Hands Off Guns – No Long Guns – Be Safe

• Keep All Hands Off Sidearms & Holsters!
• Do not unholster for any reason other than to save a life.
• Make sure your sidearm is secure in its holster. – Condition Yellow -
• Do not fidget or make adjustments to your handgun or holster in public.
• If you need to make an adjustment, take it to your vehicle.
• If anyone, including the media, asks to see your handgun, just turn your body so they can see or film it in the holster.
• Do not rest your hand on your gun or holster.
• No Long Guns!
• This event is about the carry of handguns and other defensive implements that can currently be carried under
• Florida law by CWFL licensees.
• The Carry of Long Guns creates some practical issues with physical handling in public venues and is more provocative.
• Always Follow The Basic Gun Safety Rules!
• All guns are always loaded.
• Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to shoot.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it

Our strength is in our grassroots. Our continued success is dependent on your membership. Please join us today.

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Miami, Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- As we reported earlier, Florida Carry, Inc. planned to file lawsuits today against the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County to end their unlawful gun control ordinances.

Moments before the cases were filed with the court, we received assurances from the Miami City Attorney’s Office that their unlawful ordinances will be repealed on November 17th. Miami-Dade County has also agendaed a measure to repeal its gun control laws.

We have subsequently decided to suspend filing the cases against Miami and Miami-Dade. We will not file the lawsuits if the city and county repeal the offending ordinances at their next council meetings and if there are no attempts to enforce the preempted gun control laws before their removal.

Florida Carry works tirelessly to resolve these issues statewide and is pleased that these lawsuits may be avoided. We will have a small meeting on Saturday, November 12th, at Miami-Dade’s Black Point Marina Park to enjoy a morning of Fishing and answer any questions about Florida Carry and our pro-gun efforts.

About: Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 8 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- On Monday October 31st, Florida Carry, Inc. will file lawsuits against the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County to end their unlawful gun control ordinances.

Since 1987 the Florida Legislature has preempted firearms law and issued statewide licenses to carry for self-defense. Since 1982 it has been legal for law abiding adults to keep a handgun in their glove-box or closed console without any licensing requirements.

Over the past year Florida Carry members and volunteers have worked with over 300 local jurisdictions to have unlawful gun control ordinances repealed and remove dangerous bans on our constitutionally protected right to a means of self-defense.

During the last legislative session HB 45 was passed to provide for the enforceability of Florida’s longstanding preemption of all firearms and ammunition laws. We are pleased to report that the vast majority of local governments have subsequently repealed their anti-gun laws and removed dangerous “No Firearms” signs. Just yesterday, state Representative Rick Kriseman (D – St. Petersburg) withdrew a bill that would have allowed Pinellas County to ignore state firearms laws without penalty. They wanted to be above the law but Florida gun owners won the day.

Despite our best efforts to educate city and county officials about the requirements of the firearms preemption law, some local leaders and bureaucrats have decided to test our resolve. Miami continues to demand that parents have no means to protect themselves and their children in public parks. The city even goes so far as to demand that law abiding people disarm during locally declared emergencies. New Orleans did the same thing after Hurricane Katrina. Gun owners were disarmed and left defenseless as lawlessness spread in the Hurricane’s aftermath. It was the largest gun grab in modern U.S. History and the City of Miami maintains an ordinance designed to allow it to do the same thing.

The Second Amendment was designed to protect your right to an effective means of self defense. This is especially important in places like parks, were crime happens often, and parents have a need to defend their families. During emergencies, when police agencies are often overwhelmed, the right to defend yourself is CRITICAL! The City of Miami and Miami-Dade County have both declared they can take your rights away at their whim in parks and even after a disaster.

Florida Carry works tirelessly to resolve these issues statewide and has been left with no option but to file these lawsuits. We will have a small meeting on Saturday, November 12th, at Miami-Dade’s Black Point Marina Park to enjoy a morning of Fishing and answer any questions about Florida Carry.

Florida Carry also has an ongoing case against the University of North Florida’s ban on University Students possessing firearms in campus parking lots. See our Litigation Page.

These cases are expensive to file and fight, our opponents have nearly unlimited funds and will attempt to burry us in these lawsuits.

We need your Voice! Please Join Florida Carry

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- On October 3rd, Florida Carry, Inc. filed a lawsuit against the University of North Florida (UNF) to end their unlawful ban on firearms and other defensive weapons in student’s vehicles.

Since 1987 the Florida Legislature has preempted firearms law and issued statewide licenses to carry for self-defense.

Since 1982 it has been legal for law abiding adults to keep a handgun in their glove-box or closed console without any licensing requirements.

Last Thursday, UNF President John Delaney joined Florida Carry Executive Director Sean Caranna and Attorney Eric Friday on WJCT radio’s “First Coast Connect”. During the debate on students being able to keep their lawfully possessed firearms in their cars, President Delaney conceded that adult students should be allowed to have a firearm in their car on the way to and from campus for self-defense. Despite this assertion, he then went on to attempt to defend the university’s ban. Mr. Delaney, an attorney himself, repeatedly attempted to dodge questions about the university’s anti-gun policies and would only speak about one aspect of the lawsuit.

The UNF president also took the opportunity to publicly announce that university visitors, faculty, and staff may keep their firearms in their cars. The university will now only enforce the ban against its students.

This leaves students’ lives at the mercy of potentially armed criminals while in largely unprotected campus parking and on the way to and from the campus and class.

• This weekend, at the University of South Florida (USF), a student was robbed at gunpoint as he sat defenseless in his car in a university parking lot.
• Also this weekend, two students were robbed at gunpoint on the Florida State (FSU) campus.
• Late last week, three students walking in a group were defenseless when robbed on the UNF campus by a group of assailants armed with knives.

Once again the old adage holds true… “Only outlaws will have guns where gun possession is outlawed.” These gun control efforts have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Despite the recent spike in violent crime on campuses statewide, UNF and President Delaney have foregone the use of their regular lawyers and retained the services of the powerhouse law firm of Holland & Knight in their effort to keep college students unarmed.

Holland & Knight is one of the largest, and best politically connected, law firms in the nation. With its active presence in Florida and D.C. politics, Holland & Knight is a threat to its opponents inside and outside the courtroom. The firm’s PAC has spent millions on elections over the past few years. Holland & Knight is proud to be the “Go To” law firm for the Obama Whitehouse. See: http://www.hklaw.com/Content/WorkingMemo/gotooverview.pdf

These cases are expensive to file and fight, our opponents have nearly unlimited funds and will attempt to bury us in these lawsuits. Florida Carry Executive Director Sean Caranna recently stated:

“We must win, if they bury us in these cases I fear we will be burying more college students.”

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Students for Concealed Carry Need Your Unwanted Holsters

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- The statewide chapters of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus will be holding empty holster events very soon.

We need your unwanted OWB and field type holsters. Busted Fobus, worn out OWB, or that old military holster sitting in the drawer, we have a home for them that can help expand gun rights in the state of FL!

Please mail your holster donation to:

Cash is also welcome to support our efforts in support of Carry Issues in Florida!

Donate Now!

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 8 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- Florida Carry, Inc. has today filed a lawsuit against the University of North Florida (UNF), seeking a permanent injunction from enforcing its unlawful ban on firearms and weapons and a court order to repeal their unlawful regulations, remove all preempted signs.

Also that UNF pay fines, costs, attorney’s fees, and damages. Since 1987 the Florida Legislature has preempted firearms law and issued statewide licenses to carry for self-defense.

Florida Carry filed this case on behalf of Florida Gun Owners and our members. One such member, Alexandria Lainez, is a single mother who has received extensive training in firearms and self-defense to be prepared to protect herself and her young child should that horrible need arise.

Alexandria is a full time student at UNF and worries that she has to choose between her family’s safety and her education on a daily basis while attending college.

No public college or university has any right to prevent students from having a firearm in their car as long as the firearm is lawfully possessed under state law. Any public college or university which attempts to restrict students’ rights on this issue is subject to being sued under Florida Firearms Preemption law which was amended this year to make the 24 year old statute easier to enforce by organizations like Florida Carry.

Read the Complaint Here

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- Florida Carry, Inc., through our attorneys, has requested that Governor Scott appoint a special prosecutor to investigate felony violations of state law by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Demings’ department utilized secure police databases, intended for use in the enforcement of law, for his office’s lobbying efforts and made private gun owner, concealed firearms licensee, and driver’s license data public despite multiple state and federal laws.

Orlando area State Attorney Lawson Lamar’s Office has refused to fully investigate this issue and cleared high ranking members of the Sheriff’s lobbying team of any wrongdoing within days despite clear violations of state and federal law.

There is a clear conflict of interest when the local prosecutor is tasked with investigating the department he relies on to bring him cases. A Special Prosecutor is necessary to remove any bias or perception of impropriety.

Click the links here to see the reply to our request for investigation from the Orlando Area State Attorney’s Office and our subsequent letter to Governor Scott requesting a Special Prosecutor be appointed.
We urgently need you to email Governor Scott NOW!

Include “Please appoint a special prosecutor for OCSO” in the Subject Line

E-mail Helper (feel free to cut, paste, and edit to suit)

—————————————————————————-
TO: rick.scott@eog.myflorida.com

SUBJECT: Please appoint a special prosecutor for OCSO!

Dear Governor Scott,

This e-mail is to express my great concern that senior members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office utilized the private personal information of Florida gun owners, obtained from secure law enforcement databases, for their lobbying efforts in Tallahassee. This data is intended for use in the enforcement of law, not release to the public to support a political agenda. Despite state and federal law, an Orange County Sheriff’s Captain in charge of the lobbying office released Driver’s License photos in a list of Concealed Weapons/Firearms License (CWFL) holders and Gun Owners before testifying before a Senate Committee considering SB 234.

See the video here: http://www.wesh.com/news/29029438/detail.html

Florida Carry requested an investigation be opened by the local State Attorney but received a letter, days later, saying that there was no violation of law. I join Florida Carry in asking that a Special Prosecutor be appointed to investigate the felony release of a gun owner list, CWFL data, and other protected personal information.

See this link to the letter sent to your office:
http://www.floridacarry.org/images/stories/OCSO/florida%20carry%20-%20scott%20letter%20for%20spec%20pro.pdf

There is a clear conflict of interest when the local prosecutor is tasked with investigating the department he relies on to bring him cases. A Special Prosecutor is necessary to remove any bias or perception of impropriety.

Respectfully yours,

 

—————————————————————————-

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 8 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- So, you have your Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License (CWFL) and you know that Florida preempts all firearms laws throughout the state so that you don’t accidentally break some ridiculous local ordinance and end up in the hoosegow for carrying your weapon.

You have a license from the state and we fought hard to make preemption enforceable last legislative session!

Well, you are half right. Your pistol won’t get you in trouble but your pocket knife could put you away for a MINIMUM of six months, cost you a cool grand, and yeah… they’ll take your knife too.

But wait! I have a license from the state to carry that! Yep you do, but not from Miami-Dade County and your assisted opening pocket knife just violated their laws.

See: Sec. 21-14. – Dangerous weapons; penalty; trial court.

(a) Concealed dangerous weapons. It shall be unlawful for any person to wear under his clothes, or concealed about his person, or to display in a threatening manner any dangerous or deadly weapon including, but not by way of limitation, any pistol, revolver, slingshot, cross-knuckles or knuckles of lead, brass or other metal, or any bowie knife, razor, dirk, dagger, or any knife resembling a bowie knife, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon, except as hereinafter provided.
(b) Switch blades. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer to sell, display, use, possess or carry any knife or knives having the appearance of a pocket knife, the blade or blades of which can be opened by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, or other mechanical contrivance. Any such knife is hereby declared to be a dangerous or deadly weapon, within the meaning of subsection (a) and shall be subject to forfeiture to the County as provided by subsection (c).
…
(e) Penalty. Every person who is convicted for a violation of subsection (a) shall for first conviction thereof be punished by imprisonment for not less than six (6) months and by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00); for a second or subsequent conviction of a violation of subsection (a) such person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one (1) year and by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).

Come on Sean, nobody gets arrested for a pocket knife! Pulino’s chef Nate Appleman arrested for pocket knife.

These Florida pocket knife charges still go all the way to SCOTUS ever after the Florida Supreme court said that knives with a blade length of 3.75″ or less are common pocket knives. See Bunkley v. Florida, 538 US 835 – Supreme Court (2003)

This gives us a bad mix of a patchwork of local laws and people thinking that they have a license that lets them carry the weapons that the license it good for statewide. We need a preemption statute to cover our other carry weapons and knives.

Florida Carry had just started kicking around language for a bill when out of the blue, Florida Carry Board Member Richard Smith ran smack in to our friends at Knife Rights. They just passed knife preemption in Arizona and are looking for help the rest of the states.

Time for round two of the preemption fight in FL. Hold on tight, it’s gonna’ be a bumpy ride!

About:
Florida Open-Carry.org is a grass roots organization of Florida residents who endeavor to raise awareness in the community of our second amendment rights. Our primary goal is to help educate others about their right to legally open carry and advocate for repeal of the general ban on open carry in Florida. Florida is one of only seven states where open carry is generally illegal. Visit: www.open-carry.com

Airport Carry Is Legal In 44 States, But Florida Will Put You In Jail (PS: So will New Jersey)

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- 44 States allow lawful carry of firearms in the common terminal and baggage claim areas of airports.

There are federal laws that restrict firearms, knives, and other weapons in the “sterile area” beyond the security checkpoint but the unsecured areas of the terminal are subject to state law.

Florida, and only five other states, make the entire airport terminal off limits even to carry license holders while armed. The US Supreme Court made it clear in DC v. Heller (2008) that Americans have the right to “carry weapons in case of confrontation,” but this right can be restricted “in sensitive places”.

The Federal government has determined that the “sterile area” is the “sensitive place” at an airport but Florida has gone much farther and banned even licensed carry inside the entire terminal, on this topic Florida is one of the most restrictive places in the country.

This has lead to confusion in the past even outside the terminal. In one case a lawful concealed carry licensee had his firearm become accidentally exposed while helping to unload luggage for someone who he was dropping off at the airport. Airport police overreacted and he ended up cuffed on the sidewalk outside until the officers realized their mistake.

These incidents don’t happen in the states where the limit on carry is clearly defined as in the “sterile area”.

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission. Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Firearms Preemption Violations March 2011

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- Since 1987 it has been illegal for local Florida governments to regulate firearms and ammunition.

The preemption statute was passed then so that Florida gun owners would no longer face a patchwork of local laws that was impossible to keep up with. It was also passed to protect Floridians from local lawmakers who do not respect the citizens’ right to bear arms.

The Florida Legislature never imagined that local leaders would thumb their noses at Tallahassee and intentionally break the law despite clear statute and appellate court decisions. But they have for the past 24 years and the patchwork continued.

In 2010, Florida Carry, Inc. Co-Executive Director Richard Nascak and a cadre of volunteers organized on web forums and banded together in an grassroots effort to fix the problems at the local level. They contacted local governments and were shocked at the reactions they got. Local leaders were quite happy to make criminals of lawful gun owners because there was no penalty for politicians and bureaucrats breaking the state preemption law.

“So, sue us!” was the general and sometimes literal response. Lee County resident and attorney Patrick Buckley did just that. He filed a lawsuit against his county’s park carry ban, knowing there was no provision to even recover his costs and fees should he win.

Richard Nascak engaged State Rep. Paige Kreegel for help and the NRA got involved to draft legislation that would put teeth in the long-abused statute.

Volusia County traded arguments for months with Florida Carry, Inc. Co-Executive Director Sean Caranna over its woodland and airport carry bans but finally backed down and repealed the preempted ordinances in March 2011 once it became clear that the Firearms Preemption Enforceability bill was on track to pass.

During the 2011 session, the legislature made it clear that they had had enough. On October 1st 2011, new penalties and a vehicle for recovery of attorney’s fees and costs goes in to effect. With about 70 days left, to act Florida counties, cities, and agencies are on notice. Florida Carry will hold local leaders accountable and finally clear up the patchwork of unlawful restrictions on the right to bear arms in Florida.

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Last week, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to remove the state’s black bears from its list of threatened species.

This decision came following a comprehensive biological review conducted by the FWC staff.

Before the threatened designation is finalized, and the bears are officially taken of the list of threatened species, the FWC must adopt a bear management plan. Once complete, the move will give the FWC greater flexibility and more management options in dealing with the state’s growing bear population. This could include allowing bear hunting as a management tool.

The FWC’s black bear study found that the species no longer met any of the criteria required to remain on the state’s threatened list. It also found bear numbers in the state have increased for the past 24 years and continue to increase, that bears are widely distributed throughout the state, and that current bear populations are sustainable.

“USSA and its members strongly support science-based wildlife management and conservation,” said Walter “Bud” Pidgeon, Jr., President and CEO of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. “We applaud the Commission for relying on these principles when reviewing the bears’ status instead of succumbing to emotional rhetoric from animal rights activists.”

Animal rights groups have long sought to disrupt the ability of the FWC to manage Florida’s bear population. In 2006, a lawsuit brought by the Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, the Fund for Animals among others, sought to take management authority away from the state by having the bears listed on the federal Endangered Species List. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with the Central Florida Bear Hunter’s Association, Safari Club International and others intervened in the lawsuit and were successful at stopping this attempt to usurp state wildlife management.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- Governor Rick Scott received SB 234 Concealed Weapons.

The bill Includes:

• ** Concealed Weapons & Firearms License Holders Open-Carry Protection
• ** Concealed Weapons & Firearms License Holders Guns-In-Vehicles Rights
• ** Purchase of Long Guns in other states

Senate Bill 234 by state Senator Greg Evers (R-2) and Representative Chris Dorworth (R-34)makes much needed changes to the “Right-to-Carry” law — also known as the Concealed Weapons Licensing law. It also makes changes to firearms purchase law to conform to federal law.

The bill basically does three (3) following things:

1. Provides protection for concealed weapons license holders to prevent license holders from being charged with the crime of violating the “Open Carry” law because a concealed firearm accidentally or inadvertently became visible.
2. Provides that concealed weapons license holders may store a firearm in private vehicle anywhere the vehicle is lawfully parked except those places that are exempted under s. 790.251(7) — the parking lot law.
3. Removes the obsolete firearms purchase in contiguous state law previously required by federal law for out of state purchases of long guns and replaces it with language to conform to current federal requirements that allows purchase of long guns in other states.

Please email Governor Scott right away and urge him to sign SB-234

IN THE SUBJECT LINE PUT: Protect Gun Rights – PLEASE SIGN SB-234
rick.scott@eog.myflorida.com

PLEASE EMAIL GOVERNOR SCOTT TODAY

BACKGROUND ON SB 234

OPEN CARRY:
# 1. The open carry provision addresses the problem of an accidental or unintentional exposure of a firearm being carried by a concealed weapons license holder. As silly as it may sound, if a license holder is carrying a concealed firearm and the wind blows a jacket or shirt open exposing the firearm, the person can be charged with a crime for violating the open carry law. Anytime a license holder accidentally or unintentionally exposes the firearm whether reaching for something on a top shelf or bending over to pick up something, he/she can be charged with a crime. This bill fixes that problem.

The cries of anti-gunners with predictions of horrible things resulting from “open carry” are pure nonsense. Adding the provision of open carry for concealed weapons license holders will NOT present problems. While some gun haters may not want to remove this needless restriction, there have been no problems in other states.

According to the anti-gun Brady Campaign, 46 states allow open carry. Of those, 34 states allow open carry without a permit or license while 12 states require a permit to carry openly. (FLORIDA TODAY 1/7/2011, Change Would Relax Handgun Law – Byline: Kaustuv Basu)

What the spokesperson (Brian Malte, State Legislative Director) for the Brady Campaign — the national gun ban group — said is that open carry COULD BE TROUBLESOME. He said “Open carrying of loaded guns is problematic for public safety and for law enforcement. It is frightening to see people carrying loaded weapons in urban and suburban environments.”

What the Brady Campaign fails to report is that open carry is not now, nor has it ever been a problem. Only four states, including Florida, prohibit open carry. It’s time to remove this unnecessary government restriction in Florida.

Adding “open carry” for concealed weapons license holders to the law to avoid the “open carry” glitch doesn’t mean they will carry openly.

FIREARMS CARRY IN A VEHICLE:
#2. This bill simply says that if a person has a concealed weapons license, nothing shall prohibit the carry or storage of a firearm in a vehicle — except the exemptions in the Florida parking lot law.

For example, many of you will remember the case last summer of a cemetery that arbitrarily banned guns on cemetery property.

And you’ll remember the distraught father, who had already buried his son (who had been killed in auto crash) in that cemetery. The father has a concealed weapons license and always carries a firearm in his truck and frequently visits his son’s grave.

Advised of the new gun ban by the cemetery, the father was given three choices: (1) stop carrying a firearm in his vehicle, (2) face arrest for trespassing with a firearm (a felony) or (3) move his son’s body to another cemetery (which might later ban guns as well). Those choices are outrageous. This bill fixes that outrageous denial of Second Amendment rights.

REPEAL OF CONTIGUOUS STATE LANGUAGE:
#3. This bill repeals the obsolete language in s. 790.28, which limits purchase of rifles and shotguns to contiguous states and replaces it with language that will make it possible for Florida residents to purchase rifles and shotguns in non-contiguous states.

In 1979, s. 790.28 was passed to conform to federal law. At the time, federal law required the contiguous state language to be passed in order for residents to be able to exercise their right to purchase long guns in adjoining states.

Federal law has since changed to allow the purchase of long guns in any state through a licensed federal firearms dealer. However, in order for Florida residents to be able to exercise those rights, s. 790.28 must be repealed and conforming language must be added to Florida’s statutes. This bill does that.

This alert is posted to www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=6886

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Florida Sport Shooting Association

Jacksonville Fl - -(Ammoland.com)- HB-155 Privacy of Firearms Owners by Rep. Jason Brodeur & Sen. Greg Evers to stop pediatricians from invading privacy rights of gun owners and bringing anti-gun politics into medical examining rooms was signed into law June 1, 2011 and took effect IMMEDIATELY.

HB-45 Penalties for Violating Firearms Preemption Law by Rep. Matt Gaetz & Sen. Joe Negron to stop local governments and government officials from enacting gun control ordinances in violating of Florida law was signed into law June 1, 2011 and will take effect October 1, 2011. The delay in the effective date is to allow agencies and local governments to REPEAL any and all regulations, policies, and ordinances that violate the firearms preemption law. Beginning Oct. 1, 2011, citizens and organizations may begin bringing actions against agencies and governments for violations.

ALSO SIGNED: Governor Scott also signed HB-7161 by Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R) to retain the exemption of personal identifying information of Concealed Weapons & Firearms license applicants and license holders from public records. This bill maintains the privacy rights of gun owners.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Florida Pediatric Society waged an unsuccessful campaign to get Governor Scott to veto HB-155. In a letter they threatened to sue Governor Scott if the bill became law.

Anti-gun local government officials and bureaucrats also unsuccessfully urged Governor Scott to veto HB-45.

SB-234 Concealed Weapons License reform has not yet reached the Governor’s desk. When it is delivered to the Governor he will have 14 days to sign it.

BACKGROUND ON HB-155

Doctors need to treat illness, not guns. Pediatricians and other physicians, in growing numbers, are prying into our personal lives, invading our privacy and straying from issues relating to disease and medicine by questioning children or their parents about gun ownership.

We take our children to physicians for medical care, not moral judgment, political harassment, and privacy intrusions – and that is what HB-155 intends to prohibit.

This bill comes in answer to families who are complaining about the growing political agenda being carried out in examination rooms by doctors and medical staffs – and the arrogant berating if a patient refuses to answer questions that violate privacy rights and offend common decency.

Horrified parents have described nurses entering the answers to gun questions into laptop computers to become a part of medical records. They have become concerned about whether those records can be used by the government or by insurance companies to deny health care coverage because a family exercises a civil right in owning firearms.

As parents, we are responsible for our children’s safety. We don’t need doctors pushing their anti-gun politics on us or our kids. We need them to spend their time practicing medicine and not prying into our personal lives on issues that have nothing to do with disease, its cure, or its eradication.

BACKGROUND ON HB-45

In 1987 the Florida Legislature passed the Firearms Preemption law (f.s.790.33) to provide uniformity of gun laws — in fact, it is called the “Joe Carlucci Uniform Firearms Act.”

It was intended to stop local governments from making criminals out of law-abiding citizens simply because they crossed a city or county line. It was intended to provide uniform gun laws so that no matter where in the state you live and no matter where in the state you travel, the same gun laws apply.

Unfortunately, the law contains no penalties because no one ever imagined that local elected officials and government workers would willfully and knowingly violate state law.

The absence of penalties has lead to many intentional violations and has resulted in subsequent lawsuits to protect the rights of citizens.

Over and over again, NRA attorneys have written letters to local governments informing them that proposed ordinances violate state law. Unfortunately, when their lawyers confirm that the ordinance would be illegal, they usually also explain that there are no penalties for violating the law — consequently, some jurisdictions have arrogantly thumbed their noses at state law and have passed illegal ordinances anyhow.

In 2000, the City of South Miami was one of the cities that NRA lawyers wrote concerning a proposed ordinance that violated state law.

The City’s external counsel confirmed that it was a violation, but also noted that there were no penalties. We were informed that Commissioners were told that without penalties, they could do what they wanted to do. Further, that an illegal ordinance would stand until the City was sued and a court declared the ordinance void.

The rights of gun owners were being violated, so NRA sued.

NRA won the lawsuit and, in fact, the appellate court even noted in it’s opinion that the court had previously ruled that local ordinances violate state law.

It is not the NRA’s responsibility to enforce state law, but nobody else will do it because there are no specified penalties.

This has to stop.

This bill provides penalties for local officials and local governments that violate the preemption law. Penalties are designed to stop violations.

About:
Florida Sport Shooting Association is an organization of firearms owners, collectors, hunters and competitive shooters who work together to promote shooting sports and protect the interest of firearms owners throughout the State of Florida. Visit: www.flssa.org

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- There’s an old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together” and that certainly confirms that the attack on gun rights by pediatricians and doctors in Florida is blatant gun control politics.

We thought you should know what these lawsuit threats from pediatricians is really about…..

Ropes & Grey, the law firm that has represented the “Brady Campaign,” the nation’s largest anti-gun/gun ban organization in lawsuits, is also representing pediatricians and threatening a lawsuit to usurp the privacy rights and gun rights of patients in Florida. (visit here to see the law firm connection: Ropes & Grey represents Brady Campaign http://tiny.cc/ce3vk )

The Brady Campaign’s Washington-based law firm of Ropes & Grey is also now representing the Florida chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians. (click here to see article: 3 doctors groups suing over HB-155 )

Last week, in a brazen attempt to intimidate and coerce Governor Scott into vetoing HB-155 — Privacy of Firearm Owners, lawyers from that firm representing those physicians groups, sent a threatening letter to Governor Scott.

The letter signed by the lawyers on behalf of the pediatricians said “…we intend to file a lawsuit against you and other state officials in the event that this legislation becomes law.”
(click here to see letter contained in news article: Threatening letter to Governor )

GOVERNOR SCOTT SIGNED THE BILL YESTERDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HB-155 will keep politics out of examining rooms.

(click here for a copy of the bill HB-155, Privacy of Firearms Owners )

BACKGROUND ON HB-155

Banning guns and removing guns from private homes is an agenda being of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). For years, their website made it clear that their agenda was banning guns.

On 1/26/2011 we downloaded the following from their website:

WHERE WE STAND: GUN SAFETY
The most effective way to prevent firearm-related injury to children is to keep guns out of homes and communities. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly supports gun-control legislation. We believe that handguns, deadly air guns, and assault weapons should be banned.

Until handguns are banned, we recommend that handguns and handgun ammunition be regulated, that restrictions be placed on handgun ownership, and that the number of privately owned handguns be reduced. Firearms should be removed from the environments where children live and play, but if they are not, they must be stored locked and unloaded. Loaded firearms and unloaded firearms and ammunition represent a serious danger to children.”

And this excerpt for advice to parents:

ADVICE TO PARENTS

The best way to keep your children safe from injury or death from guns is to NEVER have a gun in the home.
* Do not purchase a gun, especially a handgun.
* Remove all guns present in the home.

Following our exposure of their gun ban agenda, AAP mysteriously changed the text of their position on their website to hide their agenda — but not before legislators and gun rights supporters saw the truth.

The bill is designed to make doctors “practice medicine” NOT “practice gun ban politics” in their examination rooms. As a parent or a patient you have a right to protect your privacy about gun ownership. How many guns you own and where they are stored is your personal private information.

Doctors need to treat illness, not guns. Pediatricians and other physicians, in growing numbers, have been prying into our personal lives, invading our privacy and straying from issues relating to disease and medicine by questioning children or their parents about gun ownership.

We take our children to physicians for medical care, not moral judgment, political harassment, and privacy intrusions – and that is what HB-155 prohibits.

This bill is to help families who have been complaining about the growing political agenda being carried out in examination rooms by doctors and medical staffs – and the arrogant berating if a patient refuses to answer questions that violate privacy rights and offend common decency.

Horrified parents have described nurses entering the answers to gun questions into laptop computers to become a part of medical records. They have become concerned about whether those records can be used by the government or by insurance companies to deny health care coverage because a family exercises a civil right in owning firearms.

As parents, we are responsible for our children’s safety. We don’t need doctors pushing their anti-gun politics on us or our kids. We need them to spend their time practicing medicine and not prying into our personal lives on issues that have nothing to do with disease, its cure, or its eradication.

Don’t be fooled. This is not about the First Amendment, or gun safety or medical care. IT IS PURE, RAW, GUN BAN POLITICS. Recognize it. Don’t forget it. Help fight it.

Midway USA

Columbia, MO --(Ammoland.com)- MidwayUSA, a catalog and Internet retailer offering Just About Everything for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting, is pleased to announce that Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA, has served as a 2011 Keynote Speaker for the 19th Annual Florida Sterling Conference, held May 31-June 3, 2001, at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL.

Larry Potterfield addressed businesses and organizations at this conference as the Keynote Speaker on Wednesday, June 1 in a speech entitled, “Leadership & Management Principles through the Baldrige Journey”.

Larry Potterfield

In 2006, Potterfield challenged his organization with a goal to apply for and receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2009. In 2009, MidwayUSA achieved this goal with their first application for the award. Potterfield also founded the Baldrige Performance Excellence Group in Columbia, Missouri to further deploy the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence to local organizations.

The Florida Sterling Conference offers the opportunity to learn how successful private companies and public organizations deal with challenges and thrive in the face of adversity. Attendees experience outstanding examples of innovation and creativity that they can use to make a difference in their organizations. Established in 1992, the Florida Sterling Council is a public/private not-for-profit corporation supported by the Executive Office of the Governor. It is comprised of public and private sector members and led by the Executive Committee, which oversees the Governor’s Sterling Award for Performance Excellence and all Sterling process activities, including the annual Sterling conference.

For more information about MidwayUSA, please visit www.midwayusa.com or call 1-800-243-3220.

For more information about the Florida Sterling Council or the Florida Sterling Conference, please visit www.floridasterling.com.

The following is in response to a blogger/website owner who is one of the overzealous “open carry” supporters whose behavior is far beyond arrogant and offensive — and who only cares about “open carry” and cares nothing about other gun owners and gun rights. He is attacking NRA & USF because SB-234 and HB-517 Relating to Firearms, was amended on the Senate floor. Those bills are our concealed weapons & firearms license reform/improvement bills that were filed for the purpose of protecting the rights of concealed weapons license holders. These response explains this issue and what the “open carry” faction has done in Florida — Marion Hammer

Letters to the AmmoLand Editor: Got something on your mind? Let us know and you can see it here.

Florida, USA --(Ammoland.com)-  Dear Sir:  First of all you don’t have a clue what you are talking about. Neither NRA nor USF sold out anybody — we are protecting the rights of all law-abiding gun owners.

Second you are as rude and offensive as you are wrong. It is you, and other open carry supporters like you, who are also rude and offensive, who are selling out all law-abiding gun owners.

There are currently over 800,000 CW License holders and 8 million law-abiding gun owners in Florida. These bills are about their rights — not the small number of open carry supporters who are trying to hijack and control the bills. A few hairs on the tip of the tail are trying to wag the dog.

SB-234 and HB-517 were filed on behalf of NRA and USF and they were NEVER about “open carry.” Neither OpenCarry.org or FloridaCarry.org had anything at all to do with the purpose, the drafting, or the filing of those bills.

(Note: FloridaCarry.org intended to file their own bill this year to provide for “full constitutional open carry.” When they couldn’t find sponsors for their bill, they decided to support NRA/USF bills. Subsequently, some of their members started attacking NRA/USF because our bills didn’t give them all they were demanding. — MPH)

These bills also contain other important protections for gun owners including clarification of where CW License holders may have firearms in their vehicles when they park and language to repeal the contiguous state law and thus allow Floridians to purchase rifles and shotguns in other states.

Go back to the very beginning when we started working to pass the bill and read the first USF and NRA ALERT on SB-234 (ALERT ROUND 4 on February 18, 2011)

The sections of those bills that deal with how you can carry a firearm – that added “openly” — were ALWAYS about protecting concealed weapons license holders from being arrested and charged with a crime for violating the “open carry” law, s. 790.053 (click here: s.790.053 ) or the improper exhibition law, s. 790.10 (click here s.790.10 ) when carrying a concealed firearm and the firearm accidentally or inadvertently or unintentionally becomes exposed.

Because the terms, accidentally or inadvertently or unintentionally are highly subjective, it is clear that the use of those terms in legislation would not deter the law enforcement officers who are predisposed to harassing and abusing their authority with law-abiding gun owners.

The only way to fully protect CW License holders is to decriminalize open carry for license holders. That’s why the language in the original bill would have allowed CW License holders to carry concealed or openly. Open carry supporters would have benefited from that provision but the central point is that CW License holders would not have to worry every time they are carrying concealed, that their guns might become exposed and they end up being charged with a crime.

Unfortunately, because of the behavior of some overzealous, rude, ill-mannered, open carry supporters calling legislative offices and bullying, demanding, and threatening, Senators and their staffs, the bill had to be amended to gain support for passage.

Bad behavior of a few open carry supporters, NOT law enforcement and NOT the business community caused this bill to be amended — because the idea of ill-mannered bullies carrying firearms openly scared the heck out of people.

Even the testimony of Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats, who threatened that law enforcement would abuse gun owners carrying openly if the bill passed, (See Video Below to view excerpt of testimony: FL Sheriff Jim Coats’ Threats ) couldn’t cause the bill to be amended — it only angered legislators, other law enforcement officers and gun owners alike. Open carry supporters did it to themselves and have no one else to blame.

The current language of the bill as amended is not what NRA or USF wanted (click here CS/CS/SB-234 ). But it is what you and other overzealous open carry supporters forced on all law-abiding gun owners.

It is not perfect and it is not assured to provide protection from the few anti-law-abiding-gun-owner law enforcement officers out there.

It may not protect:

• Folks like the New Smyrna Beach sportsmen (a CW License holder) who was unlawfully detained, abused, injured and jailed overnight because 1/4 inch of the tip of the barrel of his gun was exposed through a hole that had worn in his pocket (He sued and won, by the way — but who wants to go through that?);
• OR the South Florida business man, (a CW License holder) who had his suit coat blown open by the wind exposing his gun in a shoulder holster who was forced to lie spread-eagle on the sidewalk, searched and detained for over 45 minutes before being released and told to “keep your coat buttoned;”
• OR the elderly gentleman (a CW License holder) who withdrew some cash at the bank, and after the teller expressed concern for him walking around with cash, opened his shirt to show her his gun so she wouldn’t worry — and was subsequently arrested for “brandishing” a firearm.
• Or the lady, (a CW License holder) who put her purse on the counter to take out her wallet to pay for her purchase and the store clerk saw her gun and called police who stopped her outside the store, pushed her up against the wall, searched her and detained her for more than 30 minutes before telling her “we won’t arrest you this time, but if you show that gun again, you’re going to jail.”

If the abuse is not stopped by the amended version of this bill, we will be back again to try to fix it and we will not ask for nor want any “help” from you.

But lets be clear. Neither NRA nor USF are opposed to open carry, it is just not a priority right now and that is not what this bill is about. Over 800,000 CW License holders just had their rights jeopardized by the misconduct of a few shortsighted open carry supporters. Sleep with that if you can.

You are the one with no credence, and if you don’t want to renew your membership with USF, fine. We’ll miss you like we miss a migraine.

Now, let’s see if you post this on your blog like you did the last time I responded to one of your rude and obnoxious emails.

Marion Hammer

P.S. By the way, you seem to be a big fan of Jon Gutmacher. You support him financially by posting information about his books on your website. Why did I not find any criticism of his anti-open carry editorials recently published by anti-gun newspapers in Florida and published on his own website? Were you too busy attacking us to even notice the real opponents of open carry? Jon H. Gutmacher: The problem with ‘open carry’ laws | Gainesville.com

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- We’re down to the wire. On Wednesday, the Senate will vote on SB 234. This bill includes open carry, vehicle carry, DOACS fingerprint authorization, and long gun/shotgun contiguous state purchase authorization.

Of course, the most contentious element is open carry. This is going to be a squeaker, folks. By now, the Senators should have already made up their minds. Nonetheless, Florida Carry is requesting one last push to deliver this baby.

We’ve shown the untruthful (and perhaps unlawful) tactics used by the various Sheriff’s offices and the Florida Sheriff’s Association that has spurred an official investigation by the State Attorney’s Office, FDLE, and OCSO internal affairs. Pinellas County Sheriff Coats told the committees his speculation on open carry, then admitted that he hadn’t researched how open carry works in any other state.

The deputies of the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office pulled over and detained a licensed concealed carrier just a few days ago for “printing” of his lawfully carried firearm despite their Sheriff’s testimony to the legislature that his officers would never do such a thing. The fact is that, not a single opposition speaker has ever addressed how so many other states could have open carry without the doom and gloom consequences that they espouse. Is it coincidence that the same predictions were made in 1987, by the same organizations, with regards to shall-issue concealed carry?

Please take a moment and fire up your e-mail clients one more time. Thank you for your continued support, and with any luck, we’ll be seeing you at an open carry picnic sometime in the near future!

Feel free to use the e-mail helper below, and thank you again for your solid support. We’re almost there, and we just need a final push to get this bill to the Governor’s desk for his promised signature.
E-mail Helper (feel free to cut, copy, paste, and edit to suit)

—————————————————————————-
TO:
alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov; altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov; benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov; bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov; bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov; bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov; dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov; detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov; portilla.miguel.web@flsenate.gov; dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov; evers.greg.web@flsenate.gov; fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov; flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov; gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov; garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov; gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov; haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov; hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov; hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov; jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov; joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov; latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov; lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov; margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov; montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov; negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov; norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov; oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov; rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov; richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov; ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov; sachs.maria.web@flsenate.gov; simmons.david.web@flsenate.gov; siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov; smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov; sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov; storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov; thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov; wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

SUBJECT: Vote for Open Carry in SB 234

Dear Senator,

Senate Bill 234 deserves your support, as do the 801,219 active concealed carry licensees who have patiently waited for this bill for over 23 years. Governor Scott has already stated he will sign the bill as a 2nd Amendment supporter and open carry advocate. Florida is one of only seven states that do not permit some form of general open carry. The objections raised by law enforcement and retail associations make no mention that the practice of open carry is successful in 43 states, nor do they acknowledge their dire predictions are the same “blood in the streets” arguments of almost a quarter-century ago. Those predictions have been proven unfounded.

Please help support the law abiding carriers of Florida and vote in favor of SB 234.

Respectfully yours,

About
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Open Carry

Florida --(Ammoland.com)- If you have been keeping track of SB 234, you’ll remember that Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff (R-Fort Lauderdale) introduced an amendment to the Senate Judiciary Committee that would have stripped out the open carry provision of the bill in favor of subjective language that would exempt inadvertent exposure of one’s firearm as punishable under law.

Realizing she didn’t have the votes necessary to get the amendment adopted, Sen. Bogdanoff withdrew the amendment.

On the eve of the floor vote of SB 234, Sen. Bogdanoff has again introduced the exact same language as a floor amendment.

The amendment only addresses inadvertent exposure, and does nothing to improve other situations in which general open carry is the only solution. For example, the amendment would not legalize open carry when hiking, when entering or exiting a vehicle, when on any private property other than one’s own residence or place of business. Most troubling is the fact that the determination of what is “inadvertent” would remain in the hands of law enforcement.

The Florida Sheriffs Association is walking the halls of the Senate, lobbying heavily against the bill, saying that they cannot find any prosecutions on the books concerning accidental exposure. This is a small consolation to those who have been detained for hours, disarmed, handcuffed, proned out, held at gunpoint, and booked, only to be released when the State Attorney or District Attorney found no crime with which to pursue prosecution.

In fact, just last week, an individual was “printing” in a Hillsborough county restaurant and a patron called in a “suspicious person” call. The individual was pulled over by four HCSO cruisers after leaving the restaurant, and was removed from the vehicle, disarmed, handcuffed, and detained while sitting on the curb AFTER PROVIDING HIS CWFL for over a half-hour.

During this time, he was subjected to leading questions like, “What war are you preparing for?” and “Why do you feel you need to carry a firearm?” He was told that the only reason he was being released rather than transported was because the caller incorrectly stated the firearm bulge was on his right side, and his firearm was on his left side.

This is exactly the type of situation open carry would eliminate. Imagine what would have happened had he had his children with him in the vehicle at the time?

Please take the time to contact the Senators below, and ask them to reject the amendment and vote on the bill based on its merits.

Feel free to use the e-mail helper below, and thank you again for your solid support.
E-mail Helper (feel free to cut, copy, paste, and edit to suit)

—————————————————————————-

TO:

alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov; altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov; benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov; bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov; bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov; bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov; dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov; detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov; portilla.miguel.web@flsenate.gov; dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov; evers.greg.web@flsenate.gov; fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov; flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov; gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov; garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov; gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov; haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov; hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov; hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov; jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov; joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov; latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov; lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov; margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov; montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov; negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov; norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov; oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov; rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov; richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov; ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov; sachs.maria.web@flsenate.gov; simmons.david.web@flsenate.gov; siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov; smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov; sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov; storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov; thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov; wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

SUBJECT:

Reject Sen. Bogdanoff’s amendment on SB 234

Dear Senator,

Senator Bogdanoff has introduced a floor amendment to SB 234 that would cripple the bill’s multiple purpose. This amendment was originally proposed to the Judiciary Committee, and was subsequently withdrawn due to lack of support.

I urge you to reject Sen. Bogdanoff’s amendment as it does not address any rationale for open carry other than inadvertent exposure. A licensed carrier would still be prohibited from carrying openly while hiking, while entering or exiting a vehicle, while visiting a neighbor’s property despite their permission, and any other appropriate situation. Lacking a firm definition of what is “inadvertent”, it also places that subjective determination in the hands of law enforcement, whose administration is set against any expansion of 2nd Amendment rights.

Please vote favorably on the bill as it is written and resist the temptation to take the easy way out by watering down its effectiveness. Your response to this bill is without a doubt a direct reflection on your view of the 1.95 million past and present law-abiding and responsible licenseholders.

Respectfully yours,

About: Florida Open Carry is a grass roots movement of Florida residents who endeavor to raise awareness in the community of our second amendment civil rights. Our primary goal is to help educate others about their right to legally open carry and advocate for repeal of the general ban on open carry in Florida. Florida is one of only seven (7) states where open carry is generally prohibited.

Florida Open Carry
www.Open-Carry.org
Phone: 850-270-7486
Fax: 678-359-9816

U.S. Practical Shooting Association

FROSTPROOF, Fla. --(Ammoland.com)- Gerard Tetreau of Chepachet, R.I battled past John Koppi of Rogers, Minn. on the final stage of the match to take the Limited-10 division title at the U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s (USPSA) Area 6 Regional Handgun Championship this past weekend in Frostproof, Fla.

The match began with Tetreau winning stage one, the first of three he’d win during the competition, and holding the lead until the fourth stage when Koppi picked up the first of his four stage wins. Koppi fell behind on the next stage as Tetreau moved back into the lead which he held until the 11th stage.

On the second to last stage Koppi topped the field and reclaimed the lead giving himself a 7+ point margin over Tetreau. On the final stage of the match though, Koppi gave up 36 points, and the title, to Tetreau who finished with 936.0599 points to Koppi’s 907.4209.

“Gerard shot a strong match and claimed the Limited-10 title by finishing in the top five on all but two of the stages. That kind of consistent shooting is always hard to beat,” said Michael Voigt, president of USPSA.

Finishing third in the Limited-10 division was Anthony Luciani of Phoenix, Ariz. who won three of the 12 stages to post a final score of 884.3377 and finish 51 points out of first.

Fourth place in the match went to Robbin Hudson of Largo, Fla. who finished with 778.4852 points while fifth place went to Michael Fordyce of Tallahassee, Fla. who won the 12th and final stage of the match to finish with 741.9557 points.

Hudson’s fourth place finish also secured him the Senior Limited-10 title. Jim Martin of Sarasota, Fla. scored a victory in the Super Senior category with his final score of 657.9043.

The Area 6 Handgun Championship was held at the Universal Shooting Academy range in Frostproof, Fla. The match drew 349 top shooters from around the country as well as Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Jamaica and Venezuela.

Match officials credit the high turnout to the generous support from corporate sponsors Cameron’s Custom Guns, Competitive Edge Dynamics, EarScopes, Freedom Gun Works, Gargoyle, Glock, GPI Custom Gunworks, Heckler & Koch USA, Hornady Manufacturing, Millennium Custom Guns, Nevco Targets, Otis Technology, Red Dot Shooting, Rescomp/CR Speed, Rudy Project, Sig Sauer, Spot on Supply, Springfield Armory, STI International, Surefire, TechWear USA, UniqueTek and Velocity Shooter.

Want to learn more about practical shooting, or join the nearly 20,000 members of USPSA in the most dynamic and fast-paced shooting sport around? Then visit www.USPSA.org, follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter or like USPSA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USPracticalShootingAssn.

Florida Open Carry

Florida --(Ammoland.com)- It appears that members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office may have violated the law in order to influence the Florida Senators.

During his testimony before committee, Captain Mike Fewless stated, “I actually stopped by every one of you guys’s office this morning (and) dropped off seven photographs of some biker outlaw gang guys that have carrying concealed firearm permits. Those are the ones we’re worried about carrying.”

Florida Statute 790.0601 expressly forbids the release of personally identifying information of a person who has applied for or who has received a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm. The pictures were obtained from a secure law enforcement database that is illegal to access for anything other than investigation of crimes or license verification. The specific circumstances in which that information may be released are with the express written consent of the licensee, by a court order upon showing a good cause, or upon request of a law enforcement agency in connection with performance of lawful duties. There is no exemption for release of identifying information by anyone for the purposes of furthering a political agenda. Further, the bikers have NEVER been convicted of any felony yet the Sheriffs wish to deprive them of their rights without due process.

A complaint has been made to the Orange County State Attorney’s Office and they are investigating.

It is apparent that member agencies of the Florida Sheriffs Association may be willing to embellish circumstances, bend the law, and intentionally misrepresent facts in order to influence the committee and the legislature at large in order to maintain their virtual monopoly on open carry. Ironic since in 1987, when shall-issue concealed carry was being debated, the same association stated they preferred open carry over concealed carry so their deputies would not have to guess at who was armed.

About:
Florida Open-Carry.org is a grass roots organization of Florida residents who endeavor to raise awareness in the community of our second amendment rights. Our primary goal is to help educate others about their right to legally open carry and advocate for repeal of the general ban on open carry in Florida. Florida is one of only seven states where open carry is generally illegal. Visit: www.open-carry.com

Florida Open Carry

Florida --(Ammoland.com)- The main provision of Florida Senate Bill 234 would, for the first time since 1987, permit concealed weapon or firearm license holders to carry handguns openly.

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony regarding the bill.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Major Ken Davis told of a recent traffic stop of six Tampa Bay Outlaw motorcycle gang members. “Although the six Outlaws were certified gang members, and had histories of criminal arrests, most were also concealed carry permit [sic] holders”, he related.

According to Florida Statute, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services must suspend the licenses of those persons arrested or formally charged with a crime that would disqualify an individual for a license until final disposition of the case, and a licensee who is under an injunction that restrains them from committing acts of domestic violence or acts of repeat violence. Finally, the agency must revoke the license of a licensee who have been found guilty of, had adjudication of guilt withheld for, or had imposition of sentence suspended for one or more crimes of violence within the preceding three years.

One must conclude that Major Davis was either embellishing the facts surrounding the criminal arrests of the certified gang members in order to sway the committee, or his department was derelict in not reporting the disqualifying arrests to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for suspension of the licenses of those involved.

In fact, it appears that members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office may have violated the law in order to influence the committee members.

During his testimony, Captain Mike Fewless stated, “I actually stopped by every one of you guys’s [sic] office this morning (and) dropped off seven photographs of some biker outlaw gang guys that have carrying concealed firearm permits [sic]. Those are the ones we’re worried about carrying.”

Florida Statute 790.0601 expressly forbids the release of personally identifying information of a person who has applied for or who has received a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm. The specific circumstances in which that information may be released are with the express written consent of the licensee, by a court order upon showing a good cause, or upon request of a law enforcement agency in connection with performance of lawful duties.

There is no exemption for release of identifying information by anyone for the purposes of furthering a political agenda.

Outright misrepresentation of fact appears to be a tactic our sheriffs are willing to utilize to defeat SB 234. Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson testified that open carry would be evident in the stands at next year’s Daytona 500 auto race. Conveniently, Sheriff Johnson omitted the fact that carry at a professional athletic event is a violation of existing statute, and Daytona International Speedway is a privately owned facility and has the statutory right to have anyone trespassed from the property for any reason, including carry of open or concealed firearms.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly in these times of fiscal austerity, were any public funds utilized to oppose the expansion of Second Amendment rights on behalf of the Florida Sheriffs Association?

Although elected officials, like the sheriffs are exempt, statute forbids anyone else to be compensated for lobbying without being registered as a legislative branch lobbyist. This means that if any non-elected law enforcement officers were compensated for in any way, by any public or private entity, they very well may have been in violation of law. Were any publically owned vehicles used for travel? Did any of the officers use per diem allowance or stay overnight on the taxpayer dime? And how many were on the clock? But even if on their own dime, was it ethical to then wear their uniforms and, ironically, their firearms to the committee meeting?

It is apparent that member agencies of the Florida Sheriffs Association may be willing to embellish circumstances, bend the law, and intentionally misrepresent facts in order to influence the committee and the legislature at large in order to maintain their virtual monopoly on open carry. Ironic since in 1987, when shall-issue concealed carry was being debated, the same association stated they preferred open carry over concealed carry so their deputies would not have to guess at who was armed.

Join our Facebook group of over 2000 members at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133834343298930
Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/FL_Open_Carry/
Sign the Petition at: http://www.petitiononline.com/FLOC2A/

About:
Florida Open-Carry.org is a grass roots organization of Florida residents who endeavor to raise awareness in the community of our second amendment rights. Our primary goal is to help educate others about their right to legally open carry and advocate for repeal of the general ban on open carry in Florida. Florida is one of only seven states where open carry is generally illegal. Visit: www.open-carry.com

International Defensive Pistol Association

River Ranch, FL --(Ammoland.com)- The preparations for the inaugural IDPA World Championship continue to progress and we would like to keep everyone apprised as we finalize the many various elements to this exciting match.

First we would like to announce the release of the Team Entry form. All countries submitting a team for competition in the World Championship will need to complete this entry form and submit it to IDPA Headquarters as soon as possible.

We would like to finalize the teams before we begin accepting the individual entries on June 1st. All persons on the team will not only compete in the team challenge but for placement in the individual standings as well. The team form is available for download from the IDPA website on the World Championship page or by following this www.idpa.com/champ_info.asp link.

IDPA World Shooting Championship

We will also begin taking entries for those members that would like to be part of the match by helping out as Safety Officers or Match Staff. There are numerous positions to fill in this match from Safety Officers, Squad Guides (and SO), score runners, beverage cart runners and several other positions. Those chosen to help work the match will receive free entry and hotel accommodations as well as other perks to help express our appreciation for your willingness to help produce a match of this high caliber. The Match Director and HQ will be selecting the staff from all the entries received. The SO and Staff form is available for download from the IDPA website on the World Championship page or by following this http://www.idpa.com/champ_info.asp link.

Lastly, we would like to announce the official Match hotel for the IDPA World Championship. HQ is very happy to announce that we will be partnering with the Westgate River Ranch to host our competitors for this event. Westgate will also be the location of the Hospitality Rooms and match Sign-in as well the Saturday night Awards Banquet. Westgate is a beautiful facility that is located only 17 miles from the range. Westgate River Ranch consists of 1,700 beautiful acres in Central Florida and just an hour from Orlando. Westgate River Ranch boasts Western-themed accommodations, an abundance of recreational activities such as horseback riding, nature hikes, fishing, swimming, boating, airboat and swamp buggy rides, trap and skeet shooting, hayrides, cookouts, a petting farm and more! It is a unique opportunity for families and friends to spend quality time with each other. It also boasts the award-winning Smokehouse Grill and the River Ranch Saloon to help relax after a day at the range. Pricing for accommodations starts at $79.00. You must contact Westgate directly to make reservations. The number is 863-692-2913. The rooms are blocked under group code 24-873 and please identify your self as attending the IDPA World Championship.

About IDPA:
The International Defensive Pistol Association is the governing body of a practical shooting sport that simulates self defensive scenarios and real life encounters. IDPA is uniquely geared toward being friendly to the new and/or recreational shooter and yet fun and challenging for the experienced competitor. The sport was developed so that practical “everyday” guns and gear may be used competitively. IDPA is the perfect sport for the CCW holder to add experience and proficiency to his or her gun handling skills. IDPA has over 17,000 active members and more than 300 clubs in the US and around the world allowing members to safely exercise their shooting skills. IDPA also has members in 50 countries outside the US. For more information please visit www.idpa.com.

Armed American Radio Continues Growth Across America Adding Orlando, Florida

Armed American Radio

Atlanta GA --(Ammoland.com)- ARMED AMERICAN RADIO continues its unprecedented growth across America!

Beginning this weekend, Sunday April 17th, Mark Walters and the United States Concealed Carry Association bring AAR to Orlando, Florida!

Atlanta GA- April, 12th/Delta Media, LLC- The Armed American Radio Network hosted by Concealed Carry Magazine writer and co-author of the highly acclaimed book, Lessons from Armed America, Mark Walters is proud to announce the addition of News Talk 660 AM, WORL Orlando, Florida to the fastest growing, nationally syndicated, pro-self defense radio broadcast in America. WORL will air AAR in its entirety, live from 8pm-11pm ET every Sunday evening beginning this weekend, April 17th.

“The Florida market is a natural fit for the Armed American Radio network with one of the most sought after CCW permits in the nation. Florida pioneered the right to carry license back in 1987 and it was only a matter of time before AAR invaded the Sunshine State. Beginning this weekend from 8 pm-11 pm, AAR fans in the greater Orlando area will be able to fill their prescription for freedom by joining the Armed American Radio network live every Sunday for the full three hour dose! Florida holds a special place in my heart.

It’s where my children were born, it’s where I spent a large part of my adult life and it’s where I used my own firearm to stop an impending attack against myself. The growth of the show has been incredible and with its hard-hitting talk about the right to carry a concealed handgun, Armed American Radio is now the broadcast home for millions of Americans who have made the decision to carry a firearm for their personal defense”, said host Mark Walters.

In the last three weeks, Armed American Radio has exploded across the Florida markets adding affiliates in Tampa/St. Pete, Sarasota, and Orlando to join existing coverage in Delray/West Palm Beach, Ft. Walton Beach/Destin/Pensacola and the Gainesville areas. In addition, the show has added affiliates in Sedalia, Mo, Bryan-College Station, TX, Reno, NV, San Antonio, TX and Pascagoula, MS during the same period.

Armed American Radio is one of the fastest growing talk radio shows in America, certainly the fastest growing pro-gun show in the nation.

AAR airs live nationwide every Sunday from 8-11pm ET, 5-8pm PT from the West Palm Beaches of South Florida to the North Slope of Alaska.

For more information and to schedule interviews with host Mark Walters,

Please contact:

Mark Walters
Host

Armed American Radio is syndicated on the Salem Radio Network. For media kit information, please visit www.srnonline.com/talk/talk-walters.shtml

About:
Armed American Radio is the most free-thinking, politically incorrect radio station in the U.S.A. We discuss liberty, self-defense, weapons, family, friends, and life. Visit: www.Armedamericanradio.org

Florida Open Carry Bill Stalled in Committee

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- SB 234’s companion bill has expeditiously completed its journey through committee and is waiting to be heard on the House floor.

For some undisclosed reason, SB 234 has been stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee since March 16.

Normally, the chairperson of the committee is responsible for scheduling bills to be considered. Senator Anitere Flores (R-Miami/Dade) is the chairperson for this committee. Her staff maintains that the committee staff has not scheduled the bill, and the committee staff states it is the chairperson’s responsibility.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Evers, has sent multiple formal requests to get the bill scheduled. The next committee meeting is April 4, and SB 234 is still not on the agenda for this meeting.

It is critical that this bill get scheduled and heard, as it still has to pass both this committee and the Senate Rules Committee prior to the end of committee meetings for the session.

Florida Carry is urgently requesting your immediate action to get this bill on the agenda. We need everyone to fire off an e-mail to both Senator Flores and Senate President Mike Haridopolos. We are calling for a “mailbox meltdown”. Early on, Senator Bogdanoff waffled on this bill, and it was your enormous response that got her back on board. We need you to do this again, this time in trump.

Feel free to use the e-mail helper below, and thank you again for your solid support. We’re almost there, and we just need a final push to get this bill to the Governor’s desk for his promised signature.
E-mail Helper (feel free to cut, copy, paste, and edit to suit)

—————————————————————————-

TO:

flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov; haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov

SUBJECT:

Get SB 234 moving again!

Dear Senators Haridopolos and Flores

Senate Bill 234 has been sitting at the Judiciary Committee since March 16. Its companion bill in the house has already completed committee hearings and awaits a vote on the house floor. It is imperative that SB 234 get scheduled for both the Judiciary and Rules Committees immediately, in order to make the April 26 cutoff date.

Senator Evers has made multiple requests for scheduling the bill, and has been ignored to date. Florida Carry, and other rights organizations, have worked too long and too hard to get this bill to this point, just to have it die in committee within sight of the finish line. Governor Scott has already indicated his intent to sign the bill. Concealed carry licensees have patiently waited for this bill for over 23 years. Florida is one of only seven states that do not permit some form of general open carry. The objections raised by law enforcement and retail associations make no mention that the practice of open carry is successful in 43 states, nor do they acknowledge their dire predictions are the same “blood in the streets” arguments of almost a quarter-century ago. Those predictions have been proven unfounded. There is no substantiated reason for this bill to be stalled at this point.

Please get this bill scheduled immediately for the remaining two committees.

Respectfully yours,

—————————————————————————-

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- HB 517 is on the agenda of the FL House Judiciary Committee on Thursday at 8:00am. Florida Carry, Inc urgently requests that you email via the members of the committee in support of House Bill 517.

This NRA authored bill comprises several separate initiatives.

These include the option for CWFL holders to carry openly; a the right to store a firearm in one’s vehicle wherever it may be lawfully parked; the authorization for the Department of Agriculture to take fingerprints; the repeal of Florida’s ban on long gun purchases in most other states. Quite simply put, this is the most comprehensive carry rights bill since shall-issue concealed carry was passed twenty-four years ago.

Florida is one of only seven states where open carry of firearms is generally forbidden, excepting under certain circumstances. Arguments against open carry generally consist of concerns regarding the fearful reactions of the general population. Some have suggested that an open carrier becomes an instant target, having his firearm snatched by a criminal in line at a convenience store. The facts simply do not support those allegations. In states where open carry is lawfully practiced, citizens have become accustomed to the understanding that a holstered weapon is a danger to no one.

There have been no wholesale attacks on open carriers, nor have open carriers been shot with their own weapons. Police officers are not fearful of open carriers as they know that a 5-year FBI crime study has shown that criminals do not open carry, nor do they carry in holsters. Criminals shun attention, something that the open carrying of a firearm invariably draws to some extent. Not a single state that has legalized open carry in recent years has repealed the right.

In 1987, open carry was outlawed primarily because of the predictions of wild west shootouts, blood in the streets, gun battles over parking spaces, and normally law abiding people indiscriminately becoming homicidal maniacs. The main opponent of open carry was Janet Reno, then assistant state attorney. She was able to rally support from a vocal group of police administrators with the doom and gloom scenarios. Amazingly enough, the exact same arguments were heard against “shall-issue” concealed carry. Twenty-four years later, and none of the rampant bloodshed predictions about concealed carry have come true.

Florida Carry supports HB 517, and encourages all gun owners/carriers to join us in contacting the senators on the Florida House Criminal Justice Committee. Please tell them 24 years is enough.
We urgently need you to email the committee members NOW!

Include “Support HB 517” in the Subject Line

E-mail Helper (feel free to cut, paste, and edit to suit)

—————————————————————————-
TO:
william.snyder@myfloridahouse.gov, charles.mcburney@myfloridahouse.gov,ari.porth@myfloridahouse.gov, dennis.baxley@myfloridahouse.gov,daphne.campbell@myfloridahouse.gov, eric.eisnaugle@myfloridahouse.gov,matt.gaetz@myfloridahouse.gov, tom.goodson@myfloridahouse.gov, bill.hager@myfloridahouse.gov,shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov, john.julien@myfloridahouse.gov, larry.metz@myfloridahouse.gov,kathleen.passidomo@myfloridahouse.gov, ray.pilon@myfloridahouse.gov,elaine.schwartz@myfloridahouse.gov, darren.soto@myfloridahouse.gov,richard.steinberg@myfloridahouse.gov, greg.steube@myfloridahouse.gov,
SUBJECT:
Support HB 517 – Support the Second Amendment

Dear Representative,

This e-mail is to express my support for House Bill 517, Firearms. As a member of the Florida House Judiciary Committee, you will be hearing this bill on March 24th. I respectfully ask that you wholeheartedly support this bill.

The predictions of doom and gloom that preceded the adoption of “shall-issue” concealed carry have been proven to be fiction. For twenty-four years, Florida concealed weapons/firearms license holders have proven themselves to be responsible to the extreme. Since 1987, only 168 of nearly two-million licenses have been revoked due to misuse of firearms. It is time to recognize that responsibility by giving those licensees the option to carry their firearms in the manner that is most appropriate to their situation, openly or concealed. In the 43 states that permit some form of general open carry, not a single state has repealed that right.

Please support HB 517.
Respectfully yours,

—————————————————————————-

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- SB 432 is on the agenda of FL Senate Committee on Health Regulation on Tuesday, March 22. Florida Carry, Inc. urgently requests that you send e-mails via the links provided to each of the committees members in support of Senate Bill 432.

SB 432 provides that inquiries by physicians or other medical personnel concerning the ownership of a firearm by a patient or the family of a patient or the presence of a firearm in a private home or other domicile of a patient or the family of a patient violates the privacy of the patient or the patient’s family members, respectively.

The bill also prohibits entry of certain information concerning firearms into medical records or disclosure of such information by specified individuals, provides noncriminal penalties, and provides for prosecution of violations, etc.
Primarily, but not limited to the American Academy of Pediatrics, had made the banning of handguns a priority under the guise of a children’s safety issue.

Not satisfied with merely providing household safety information, doctors have been specifically asking both parents AND CHILDREN about guns in the home, and have denied service to those who refuse to answer.

A woman in Ocala, FL refused to answer her pediatrician’s inquiries during her daughters routing physical checkup and as a result was given 30 days to find a replacement pediatrician for her three children. Not everyone has the money, time, or transportation to find another pediatrician. Firearm ownership information has been entered on patient records, and has been released to unauthorized third parties. A mother in Uxbridge, MA objected to her child being asked about “daddy’s guns”, and stopped the doctor’s intrusive questioning. Days later, she found out from a friend on the police force that the doctor had filed a report about the family’s lawful ownership of guns.

In fact, one of our own members was subjected to this intrusion. He posted his experience here: www.floridacarry.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=71#p913

There are exceptions in the bill for legitimate inquiries with regards to mental health professionals and emergency situations, and there is nothing that prevents a doctor from providing information on any topic including firearms safety.

The bill merely prevents doctors from asking about firearms and then denying service based on an answer not to their liking.

E-mail Helper (feel free to cut, copy, paste, and edit to suit)
—————————————————————————-
TO:
garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov; sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov; altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov; bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov; portilla.miguel.web@flsenate.gov; fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov; gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov; gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov; jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov; latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov; norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov; ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov

SUBJECT:

Support SB 432 – Stop doctors from interrogating children

Dear Senator,

Primarily, but not limited to the American Academy of Pediatrics, had made the banning of handguns a priority under the guise of a children’s safety issue. Not satisfied with merely providing household safety information, doctors have been specifically asking both parents AND CHILDREN about guns in the home, and have denied service to those who refuse to answer. A woman in Ocala, FL refused to answer her pediatrician’s inquiries during her daughters routing physical checkup and as a result was given 30 days to find a replacement pediatrician for her three children. Not everyone has the money, time, or transportation to find another pediatrician. Firearm ownership information has been entered on patient records, and has been released to unauthorized third parties. A mother in Uxbridge, MA objected to her child being asked about “daddy’s guns”, and stopped the doctor’s intrusive questioning. Days later, she found out from a friend on the local police force that the doctor had filed a report about the family’s lawful ownership of guns.

There are exceptions in the bill for legitimate inquiries with regards to mental health professionals and emergency situations, and there is nothing that prevents a doctor from providing information on any topic including firearms safety. The bill merely prevents doctors from asking about firearms and then denying service based on an answer not to their liking.
Please vote in favor of SB 432.

Respectfully yours,
~your name~

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

AmmoLand Gun News

Barry University, FL --(Ammoland.com)- Announcing the opening of Sommer Wood’s MFA Photography Exhibition entitled Shooter.

This body of work is both a documentary exploration of competitive shooting and a self-portrait of the artist.

In the artist’s words: “Shooter combines two of my passions, competitive shooting and photography. It is my perspective of the word shooter. This work may at first be defined as a documentary analysis of competitive shooting, but it equally needs to be regarded as a self-portrait. Every image represents me as much as it does the sport and the individuals in the photographs.

I photographed my friends and colleagues, representing every level of participants in Air Rifle and Smallbore competition from high school to the U.S. National Team. Collectively we are shooters, and this is the common thread that ties us together. A bond built on countless hours spent on the range, fueled by quiet determination to achieve perfection on every shot. Perhaps not so unlike the numerous hours spent in the darkroom creating this series of images.”

Sommer Wood's MFA Photography Exhibition entitled Shooter

Wood works for the Civilian Marksmanship Program, where coordinates camps and clinics geared for high school age athletes.

She first became involved in competitive shooting as an undergraduate at Clemson University, and has been heavily involved with the sport for ten years. Wood completed her BFA in Photography at Clemson University in 2003, and will complete her MFA in Photography at Barry University in 2011. Her work has been including in several juried exhibitions and group shows.

She currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL. A complete exhibition history, bio and images from Shooter can be found at www.sommerwoodphoto.com.

MEDIUM: The Shooter exhibition includes 29 silver gelatin prints ranging from as large as 40inx28in to as small as 14inx14in.

IMPORTANT DATES: Shooter can be seen 18 Feburary-22 April 2011 at the Andy Gato Gallery at Barry University. The opening reception will be held 23 February from 4-7pm.

ARTIST: Sommer Wood
www.sommerwoodphoto.com
sommer.wood@mymail.barry.edu

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- Open Market Research, Inc. has released the results of two polls taken this month.

Although it’s no surprise to us, the polls clearly indicate exceptionally strong support of open carry in Florida and virtually no opposition. Across the board, male or female, young or old, Florida residents want open carry rights.

http://tiny.cc/yb4ro

It wasn’t even close; this was a landslide for open carry!

We’re against the clock. The Senate committee meets again on Monday. We need you to flood the e-mail boxes of the committee members and the Senate President. Please let them know about the poll results and tell them you expect them to follow the will of the people!

Thank you!

The Executive Directors and Board of Florida Carry, Inc.

We urgently need you to email the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice NOW!

Include “The People have spoken – Yes on SB 234” in the Subject Line

E-mail Helper (feel free to copy, cut, paste, and edit to suit)

—————————————————————————-
TO:
evers.greg.web@flsenate.gov, dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov, dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov, margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov, smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov, haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov

SUBJECT: The People have spoken – Yes on SB 234

Dear Senator,

Open Market Research, Inc., an independent marketing research firm, has released the results of two polls taken in northern Florida which show strong support for the open carry provision of SB 234. Taken on March 3 and 11, the polls show a wide margin (58% – 14%) favor legalization of open carry in district 3, and an even wider margin in districts 2 and 4 (62% – 12%).

Legislators: the nay-sayers are a vocal lot, but they do not represent the voice of the people. Support SB 234 over the special interest groups. Open carry is peacefully practiced on a daily basis in 43 other states without the need for ridiculous and unnecessary retention devices and training, and without the need for public display of private information.

For twenty-three years, the law-abiding citizens of Florida who hold concealed weapons/firearms licenses have proven themselves to be responsible and deserve, without hesitation, to be treated as such. Voting against SB 234 is tantamount to a slap in the face of licensees, the sting of which the voters will not soon forget.

Please support SB 234.

Respectfully yours,

—————————————————————————-

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Open Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- Independent poll by Open Market Research, Inc. shows strong support for open carry bill, says WCTV-TV

WCTV-TV in Tallahassee is reporting results of two new independent polls show strong support for Florida Senate Bill 234.

The bill, would reverse the current general ban on the open carry of firearms, and would remove Florida from the list of only seven states in which the practice is prohibited.

Taken by marketing research, advertising, and public relations firm Open Market Research, Inc., the polls show broad support for the measure across a wide range of demographics, including sex, age, and political preference in Districts 2, 3, and 4 of Northern Florida.

Respondents were first asked whether or not they supported the issuing of concealed weapons permits. In all three districts, support was overwhelming, with a margin of over 7 to 1 among men and between 3 and 4 to 1 among women. The respondents were then asked if they favored removing criminal prosecution for concealed weapons license holders who expose a holstered weapon. Men approved by greater than a 4 to 1 margin with women also approving at greater than a 2.5 to 1 margin.

Senator Charlie Dean is widely viewed as the deciding vote as to whether or not the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice will give SB 234 a favorable report. A former Citrus County sheriff, Senator Dean is believed to be relying on the opinion of the Florida Sheriff’s Association who, despite having no published legislative agenda on their website with regards to SB 234, historically has been against the citizens’ right to keep and bear arms in self-defense. However, males age 18 – 29 in Senator Dean’s own home district overwhelmingly approve of the bill by a whopping 91% in favor to 9% against.

In 1987, the Florida Sheriff’s Association was vehemently opposed to shall-issue concealed carry, predicting shootouts over parking spaces and blood in the streets. A year later, after extensive efforts to document problems arising from shall-issue concealed carry, the head of the association was forced to admit the virtual absence of such problems. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture’s own statistics, only 168 licensees lost their licenses for gun related crimes in the over 23 years since.

Open Market Research, Inc. reports the margin of error on the poll to be +/- 3%.

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.
Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- As most of you know, SB 234’s two primary elements, open carry and campus carry, have been gutted by committee amendments.

These amendments were proposed, accepted, and integrated into the bill without public comment or discussion.

On February 22, 2011, the father of Ashley Cowie, the FSU student who was killed in an off-campus incident, presented an impassioned plea against the campus carry element of SB 234. Ashley was killed by a student who was too young to get a concealed weapons/firearms license (CWFL), allegedly was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, negligently mishandled a rifle too large to carry concealed for self-defense purposes, at an off-campus frat house at which weapons were prohibited.

The campus carry initiative has nothing in common with this tragic event, and the current ban on lawfully carried firearms did not prevent it. In fact, there are 71 campuses in the U.S. where concealed carry is permitted, some of which have been doing so since 1995, and not a single gun-related event has occurred on any of those campuses.

But the amendment to kill campus carry was passed by the committee without them hearing these facts because not a single proponent of campus carry was permitted to address them prior to the amendment’s adoption. No debate, no discussion was permitted.

Ironically, after the amendment was adopted, a college law enforcement administrator wasted time allotted to public discussion to continue opposing the already dead element.

Likewise, the open carry element was saddled with an amendment that demanded impractical and unnecessary requirements that no other open carry state in the union, including California, requires. The requirements are for firearm retention training, a level-2 retention holster, and public display of one’s license in proximity to a firearm being openly carried.

The retention training requirement is not realistic for a number of reasons. First, no other open carry state has such a requirement since there is no evidence that there is any substantial threat to open carriers of being relieved of their firearms by criminals. It simply isn’t happening anywhere else. Law enforcement will maintain that their officers must undergo such training because of numerous incidents of fellow officers being killed by their own firearms. But they conveniently forget that these incidents result from the officer’s duty to initiate contact and apprehend nefarious types, often violent felons who have no desire to get sent to prison. No such duty exists with citizen open carriers, and there is little motivation for the felon to initiate contact with an armed citizen when so many unarmed potential targets exist.

The requirement for a statutorily undefined level-2 retention holster again stems from this unsubstantiated and purely speculative assumption that an armed citizen is a ripe target for a criminal. Again, no other open carry state requires this because there is no evidence to support a threat. Indeed, if there was ever a candidate for mandatory wearing of a retention holster of any type, it would be for a law enforcement officer. There is no state requirement that police use a level-2 retention holster.

Also, by requiring a citizen to only open carry in a retention holster does not address a very basic function of the open carry initiative; that being the ability switch from concealed carry to open carry at will depending on conditions. For example, a CWFL holder carrying in a standard in-waistband holster concealed under a light jacket would not be permitted to remove his jacket.

Furthermore, level-2 retention holsters are not available for many popular makes and models of side-arms. Many gun owners will not be able to open carry their side-arm because no manufacturer has marketed their holster as a “level-2″.
Finally, the requirement to display one’s CWFL in public would again, only exist in Florida. Law enforcement has universally discouraged CWFL holders from the use of badges, as this could cause the public to mistake them for officers. There is no reason to believe that the mandatory display of licenses would not be likewise mistaken for police identification.

The Supreme Court of Florida has ruled that the mere possession of a firearm does not suffice as reasonable suspicion for the purpose of detention, identification, and search of citizens, yet this requirement sidesteps the concept of reasonable suspicion/probable cause and in fact, authorizes police to question law-abiding citizens under the guise of “verifying” carry credentials.

Florida statutes do not require CWFL holders to identify themselves to law enforcement for this very reason. It is also quite ironic that in light of this committee’s passage of SB 604, the bill which permanently exempts CWFL licensee data from release under so-called “sunshine laws”, the public display of a licensee’s name, and on some licenses their home address, for all to see.

The true purpose behind this amendment is clear. Having no real substantiated reason to deny open carry, certain groups and individuals instead are attempting to make the practice so burdensome as to either discourage the vast majority of CWFL holders to participate in open carry, or to make the open carry initiative itself so unpalatable to proponents that it would soon die due to lack of interest.

And again, as with the arguments for campus carry, these facts were not permitted to be presented to the committee prior to adoption of the amendment requiring these unrealistic requirements. Through two entire sessions of the committee, the SB 234 supporters were afforded a single, 30-second time slot by a single individual, and this occurred AFTER the amendments were approved by the committee. This is intolerable and surely flies in the face of the concept of representing the people.

We ask members and non-members alike to e-mail, write, and call the Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and express your outrage over the actions of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

There is ample documented evidence to support SB 234, and nothing but unsubstantiated opinion against it. Procedurally, it is a travesty that amendments are adopted without public discourse, which has a direct bearing on said amendments.

We urgently need you to email Senator Haridopolos NOW!

Include “Please help us get SB 234 through committee” in the Subject Line

E-mail Helper (feel free to cut, paste, and edit to suit)

—————————————————————————-
TO:
haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov

SUBJECT:
Please help us get SB 234 through committee!

Dear Senator Haridopolos,

This e-mail is to express my outrage as to the procedural conduct of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee with regards to the gutting of Senate Bill 234 without the benefit of public discourse.

An ill-conceived amendment to the proposed open carry legalization was passed by the committee without a single word from the public prior to its adoption. Each and every element of the amendment can be factually argued, but no argument was permitted whatsoever.

Despite two committee meetings addressing the bill, which still has not yet been voted upon, the supporters of SB 234 have been permitted a single individual to speak for a total of 30 seconds. Florida Open Carry Movement members from across the state were gagged in the audience without the opportunity to speak. This is a travesty, and only supports the notion that the committee is not interested in hearing arguments in favor of the bill for which they have no rebuttal.

We request your assistance in getting a SB 234 through committee and to the Senate floor where both sides will have the opportunity to present verifiable and documented facts, without the procedural maneuvering that is clearly picking apart this good bill.

Respectfully yours,

—————————————————————————-

About:
Florida Carry is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry, Inc. was organized by a group of Florida gun rights activists in order to better coordinate activities, effectively lobby the state legislature, and to provide a legal entity capable of filing suit to demand compliance with state and federal law. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 6 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward repealing and striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

North Coast Shooters Association

Camp Blanding, FL --(Ammoland.com)- North Coast Shooters Association (NCSA) is sponsoring  600 yard Rifle Match w/pits and a MFRF pop-up match at Camp Blanding FL
April 8th-9th / 2011.

Matches are non-sanctioned but NRA rules will be used with some exceptions. Only .308/30-06/.223 calibers are allowed for rifle match!!!!!!!

600 yard match classes will include:

• F-Class (T/R and Open as one) with Tactical Rifle, Any other Rifle and Long Range Pistol
• NRA Match Rifle
• NRA Service Rifle there will also be a MRFR (modified record fire range)

Military Rifle and Pistol Pop-Up match
Course of Fire:

• Friday – April 8th – 3 x 20 shots w/sighters @ 600 yards
• Saturday – April 9th – 3 x 20 shots w/sighters @ 600 yards
• Sunday – April 10th – MFRF Pop-up match, pop-up targets will be single or multiple targets for rifle with ranges from 50 to 300 meters and pistol targets from 25 to 75 meters.

Match Fees:

• 600 yard matches: $30.00 per day if pre-registered
• MFRF : $60.00 if pre-registered
• Pre-registration is recommended, a fee of $10 per day will be added for on site registration.

Squadding for the 600yard matches will be from 7:45am to 8:15am (gate will open at 7:30 and be locked at 8:15)

Safety briefing at 8:30am (required), pits seal at 8:45am and Shooting to begin at 9:00am. Squadding and safety briefing for Pop- Up match will begin at 8:00am

Shooting to begin at 0:830 am and NCSA membership is required for insurance purposes.

For more information or to register got to: www.northcoastshooters.com click on events, then 2011 schedule Camp Blanding, FL

You can find more information at: www.northcoastshooters.com

About:
The North Coast Shooters Association was formed to be the instrument to open up additional places to shoot on ranges that are primarily located East of the Mississippi river. Our mission statement is to make the NCSA, LTD. Available with our insurance to fellow shooters to assist them in opening the doors at ranges across the country for civilian shooters ranging from .22 rim fire to .50 caliber BMG competition.

U.S. Practical Shooting Association

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- Team Smith & Wesson’s Jerry Miculek of Princeton, La. fended off top wheelgunners Ricardo Lopez of Ecuador, Cliff Walsh of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Matt Griffin of Louisville, Ky. to claim another revolver victory, this time at the popular U.S. Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Florida Open Handgun Championship.

Since 2003 the Florida Open revolver title have been claimed by either Walsh (2009, 2006-2003) or Lopez (2010, 2008, 2007), often with the other finishing second.

This year however brought an appearance by Miculek who is the most accomplished revolver shooter of all time, but even for Miculek getting to the winner’s circle meant getting past the defending champion.

Both Lopez and Miculek swapped stage wins throughout the match with each claiming five. Lopez’s win on the first stage gave him the early lead which lasted only through the second stage as Miculek claimed a win on it and the third.

S&W’s Miculek Outguns Lopez for Florida Open Wheelgun Title

The Ecuadorian quickly bounced back with a win on the fourth stage but still lagged behind Miculek due to a poor showing on the previous stage where he gave up nearly 34 points.

Two more stage wins by Miculek, including one on the sixth stage where Lopez dropped another 37 points, put him in a comfortable lead.

Lopez battled back winning his next two stages, the seventh and eighth, but was unable to gain back more than 21 points. The two exchanged wins on the last two stages with Miculek winning stage nine and Lopez stage 10.

In the end, Miculek outpaced Lopez by a total of 39 points, posting a final winning score of 1511.8603 to Lopez’s 1472.3141.

“Ricardo’s skills with a revolver are well respected in USPSA where he finished second to Jerry for the national championship in 2008. Their back-and-forth battle at the Florida Open was one of the most exciting of the match and Jerry once again demonstrated why he is the single best wheelgunner in the world. Of course, Ricardo has shown that if Jerry’s not careful he’ll be more than happy to take that title away,” observed Michael Voigt, president of the U.S. Practical Shooting Association.

Walsh, who finished second in 2010, placed third with a final 1303.6621 points. Griffin, another standout in USPSA revolver competition, claimed fourth with a score of 1288.5647, while John Rosado of Brazil rounded out the top five with 1005.6353 points.

The USPSA Florida Open Handgun Championship was held this past weekend at the Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, Fla. and drew more than 365 top competition shooters, including competitors from Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Norway, Russia, Serbia, the Slovak Republic and Spain.

The next major match on the USPSA calendar is the 2011 Area 6 Regional Pistol Championship which will be held April 15-17 at the Universal Shooting Academy.

For more information on upcoming matches, or to become a member, visit www.USPSA.org. To join in on the conversation with other competition shooters follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USPracticalShootingAssn.

About:
USPSA is a non-profit membership association. Most of the more than 15,000 individual members belong to and regularly compete at one of the nearly 400 affiliated clubs and sections (groups of clubs banded together for mutual benefit) located across the United States. USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (I.P.S.C.), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations. USPSA is the American region of IPSC. Visit: www.uspsa.org

U.S. Practical Shooting Association

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- Russia’s Svetlana Nikolaeva battled through four lead changes before taking the Women’s Production title at the U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s (USPSA) Florida Open Handgun Championship.

Despite winning eight of the 10 stages in the match, Nikolaeva gave up the lead twice to Carrie Carlson of St. Peters, Mo. It wasn’t until the final four stages where she closed the door on Carlson with four straight wins to claim the title with a final score of 944.6899.

Though Carlson did not win a single stage during the competition, she managed to grab the lead on stages two and three and then again on stage six before finishing as the runner-up with 878.4455 points.

Cindi Thomas of Lexington Park, Md. placed third, winning two stages on her way to posting a final score of 828.5854.

Angela Cortes of Coral Gables, Fla. and Team Smith & Wesson’s Tierani Hendrix of Roswell, Ga. finished in fourth and fifth respectively with scores of 659.2894 and 652.9449.

Elsewhere in Production division competition, Ljubisa Momcilovic of Serbia won the overall title with 1504.8476. Andres Hrnciarik of the Slovak Republic was the high junior finishing 10th overall with 1185.8397. Among the seniors, Jose Orus of Ecuador took the Senior Production title with 892.6805 while Jean Dartois of Canada topped the super seniors in the match with 652.4351.

The USPSA Florida Open Handgun Championship was held this past weekend at the Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, Fla. and drew more than 365 top competition shooters, including competitors from Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Norway, Russia, Serbia, the Slovak Republic and Spain.

The next major match on the USPSA calendar is the 2011 Area 6 Regional Pistol Championship which will be held April 15-17 at the Universal Shooting Academy.

For more information on upcoming matches, or to become a member, visit www.USPSA.org. To join in on the conversation with other competition shooters follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USPracticalShootingAssn.

About:
USPSA is a non-profit membership association. Most of the more than 15,000 individual members belong to and regularly compete at one of the nearly 400 affiliated clubs and sections (groups of clubs banded together for mutual benefit) located across the United States. USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (I.P.S.C.), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations. USPSA is the American region of IPSC. Visit: www.uspsa.org

U.S. Practical Shooting Association

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- The Florida Open always draws a strong contingent of foreign shooters and this year was no exception as the top five shooters all came from outside the U.S. with Serbia’s Ljubisa Momcilovic walking away with the Production division title.

Momcilovic won six of ten stages and held the lead on all but one stage, the first. His final winning score of 1504.8476 outpaced runner-up Jean-Philippe Drolet of Canada by more than 108 points.

“The Florida Open is one of those matches on the USPSA that always seems to draw top talent from around the world,” explained Michael Voigt, president of the U.S. Practical Shooting Association.

“With this being a World Shoot year where we’ll all gather for international competition later this fall, it’s to be expected that we’d see increased interest in shooting here in the U.S. I with the entire USPSA membership in congratulating Ljubisa on his Production division win.”

Drolet, who won the ninth stage, finished second with a final score of 1396.0116. Taking third was the 2010 defending champion Galo Moreira of Ecuador, more than 60 points behind Drolet with 1335.5015.

Nikolay Onshin of Russia and Vaclau Vindushka of the Czech Republic rounded out the top five finishing fourth and fifth with 1320.4461 and 1295.0319 respectively.

Elsewhere in Production division competition, Svetlana Nikolaeva of Russia won the women’s title with 944.6899. Andres Hrnciarik of the Slovak Republic was the high junior finishing 10th overall with 1185.8397. Among the seniors, Jose Orus of Ecuador took the Senior Production title with 892.6805 while Jean Dartois of Canada topped the super seniors in the match with 652.4351.

The USPSA Florida Open Handgun Championship was held this past weekend at the Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, Fla. and drew more than 365 top competition shooters, including competitors from Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Norway, Russia, Serbia, the Slovak Republic and Spain.

The next major match on the USPSA calendar is the 2011 Area 6 Regional Pistol Championship which will be held April 15-17 at the Universal Shooting Academy.

For more information on upcoming matches, or to become a member, visit www.USPSA.org. To join in on the conversation with other competition shooters follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USPracticalShootingAssn.

About:
USPSA is a non-profit membership association. Most of the more than 15,000 individual members belong to and regularly compete at one of the nearly 400 affiliated clubs and sections (groups of clubs banded together for mutual benefit) located across the United States. USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (I.P.S.C.), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations. USPSA is the American region of IPSC. Visit: www.uspsa.org

U.S. Practical Shooting Association

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- With names like Abbate, Lee and Miculek in the competition, the Women’s Open title at the USPSA Florida Open was sure to go to one of these ‘usual suspects’ until Kaci Cochran shot her way to the top…and the title.

Cochran, a resident of Stockbridge, Ga. who was the runner-up for the last three years, won four of the 10 stages and held the lead through nearly the entire match to take the women’s title with a final score of 1161.4128. No small feat considering the nearly countless world and national titles held by three of her competitors.

One of those experienced champions, Athena Lee of Katy, Texas, was the only other shooter to lead, finishing atop the field after the first stage.

Lee dropped out of first when Cochran won the second stage, and despite winning two more stages and stalking Cochran for of most the match, she finished in second place with a score of 1134.7005.

Finishing third was the defending champion Tammie Bordwell of Orlando, Fla. Bordwell, who also won the Limited title in 2009, took top honors on the fourth stage and flirted with second place twice in the match before ending up third with her final score of 1124.2015.

Kaci Cochran Bests Lee for Women’s Open Title in Florida

Rounding out the top five were two of the most experienced shooters within the sport. Team Smith & Wesson’s Kay Miculek of Princeton, La. placed fourth posting a final score of 1084.4052.

Team Leupold’s Jesse Abbate of McDonough, Ga., a woman who has won five USPSA national handgun titles in the last three years, found herself in the uncharacteristic position of finishing fifth. Despite taking top honors on two stages Abbate ended the match with a final score of 1073.6013.

“Kaci faced off against some of the strongest competitors in the Open division. She shot a strong consistent match that allowed her to fend off Athena, Kay, Jessie and last year’s top gun, Tammie, for the win,” said Michael Voigt, president of the U.S. Practical Shooting Association.

Elsewhere in Open division competition, Team Sig Sauer’s Max Michel of Covington, La. won the overall Open title for the fourth year in a row with his final score of 1517.4876. Sherwyn Greenfield of Spirit Lake, Iowa claimed the Senior Open title with 1143.5772, while Robert Keller of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. won the Super Senior Open match with a score of 1106.4356.

The USPSA Florida Open Handgun Championship was held this past weekend at the Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, Fla. and drew more than 365 top competition shooters, including competitors from Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Norway, Russia, Serbia, the Slovak Republic and Spain.

The next major match on the USPSA calendar is the 2011 Area 6 Regional Pistol Championship which will be held April 15-17 at the Universal Shooting Academy.

For more information on upcoming matches, or to become a member, visit www.USPSA.org. To join in on the conversation with other competition shooters follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USPracticalShootingAssn.

About:
USPSA is a non-profit membership association. Most of the more than 15,000 individual members belong to and regularly compete at one of the nearly 400 affiliated clubs and sections (groups of clubs banded together for mutual benefit) located across the United States. USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (I.P.S.C.), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations. USPSA is the American region of IPSC. Visit: www.uspsa.org