New Jersey Second Amendment Society President’s Report – 10/31/2011
New Jersey –-(Ammoland.com)- So many people contribute to the success of an organization such as the New Jersey Second Amendment Society.
Sometimes it is difficult to to recognize and thank everyone properly. I would like to take this opportunity say thank you to a number of people who have helped to make our Society the success that it is.
First of all, I would like to thank all of you, our loyal members.
Obviously, without you there *IS* no Society. Thank you for your membership, your donations and your contributions and participation in our events and activities. In the brief period that we have been in existence, you our members, have made the NJ2AS (in *MY* humble opinion) the single most relevant pro Second Amendment organization in New Jersey. That is not meant to detract from any other 2A group that is making a contribution to the cause.
I believe that we are the most relevant group because we are the most active group at the “grassroots” level. I know that the term “grassroots” tends to be overused these days, but I can assure you that from the point of view of one who has been involved since the beginning, your Society truly *IS* a grassroots organization. I hope that you are as proud of that fact as I am.
Next, I would like to thank the founders and the board of directors of the NJ2AS. In their own way, each founder and the former and current members of your board have made a significant sacrifice and a significant contribution to the success of this Society. Those who have moved on were there to help guide us in the most important and formative period of our development. We are grateful for the continued support of those who have served in the past such as Chris Bastian, Anthony Marino, Tim Brooke, Jack Fahy, Maksim Netrebov Scott Rivera, Greg Gallaher, Tom Watt, Robert Barush, Shane Bryant and Tony Altieri. Many of these fine gentlemen are still active in the ongoing activities of the NJ2AS.
Your current board consisting of (in no particular order) Shari Spivack, Shane Bryant, Tony Altieri, Robert Barush, Anthony Colandro and Tom Watt, is the backbone of our group. Without these wonderful people we would not be able to deliver the campaigns, programs, activities, meetings and events that we provide to the membership and the community.
It is my honor to be associated with people of such high caliber (pun *INTENDED*).
I would like to specifically mention a few things that have occurred since my last letter to the membership. The video “The Never-ending Saga of Firearms Ownership in New Jersey” created by member Ryan McBeth has enjoyed almost *15,000* views since it was published on You Tube. With all of the competition for views on the Internet – this is nothing short of ASTOUNDING! More people are hearing about our Society than ever before; and although Ryan is not asking for the credit for producing this EXCEPTIONAL video, I would be extremely remiss in my duties as your President if I did not formally thank him for his dedication and creativity. He is hard at work developing even more content for the NJ2AS.
As you all know, we recently initiated our “Beginning Shooters Program”. Our first event was held on Sunday afternoon, 10/30/2011. It was an unqualified success. Even though some of the people had to cancel due to weather related issues, we were still able to introduce over 20 new shooters to the safe and responsible use of firearms that we have come to know and enjoy. many of these people will go on to become proficient in both the sport, and the ability to protect and defend their lives and that of their families. *YOU*, my fellow members, made this event possible.
I want to send a special vote of thanks to Anthony Colandro and his staff and volunteers from Gun For Hire Firearms Training Centers for the generous donation of their time talent and facilities. I am also indebted to Jen and Manny from “The Bullet Hole” firing range for the gracious donation of all the .22 caliber ammunition and ESPECIALLY for the range time. I would also like to thank Grant Gallagher of ShootNJ for his help and participation. Chet Wilson and his group at ShootNJ has agreed to assist me in holding more of these Beginning Shooters Events. I wish I knew the names of all of the volunteers who helped with this VERY successful event. I want to thank you *ALL* for making it *SUCH* a successful event. I look forward to holding additional events with you in the near future.
This letter is getting longer than I expected and I haven’t even thanked half of the people who have helped to support us with contributions and promotions. I would like to specifically mention Matt Sodano and Rob Lapinski both of whom have been especially generous to our Society. There are many more people that deserve mention and I will find an appropriate way to do so in future messages.
In an effort to keep you informed regarding the NJ2AS lawsuit against the NJ Division of State Police, I can tell you that we are expecting a ruling from Judge Hurd in New Jersey Superior Court this Friday, November 4, 2011. We are hopeful that the judge will grant us access to the NJ Div. of State Police Firearms Application Processing Guidebook. I will let you know the results of that court appearance in my next letter to you. Anyone who is able to attend the hearing is welcome to come and observe. We will not have an opportunity to speak at this hearing, but if you are interested is seeing how the wheels of justice revolve in the Great Garden State, you are more than welcome to join us.
In addition to all the activities of the NJ2AS, many of you have been following the progress of the SAF/ANJRPC case commonly referred to as “the Muller, et al.” proceeding. This case has tremendous implications for the future of RKBA in NJ.
We applaud the SAF and ANJRPC for bringing this case forward. The attorney in the case, David Jensen, will be addressing the members and guests of our Society at our meeting on Wednesday January 11, 2011. I am sure that he will have a wealth of information to share with us at that time. I can tell you that just this past week, “oral arguments” were heard and it went pretty much as we expected. The judge was entirely unsympathetic to the injustice perpetrated upon those individuals who have applied for CCW permits in New Jersey post Heller and McDonald. This case will have to be decided at a higher level, either in the Circuit Court of Appeals or perhaps all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. Although the NJ2AS is not an official party to this litigation, we can be proud of the fact that we were able to supply the SAF with plaintiffs for the case. Our own Greg Gallaher is a plaintiff and Scott Rivera has been chosen as an alternate. Obviously we fully support the efforts of the SAF and ANJRPC in this case. I encourage each and every one of you to find out more information about the Muller case, and to make contributions as you can to these terrific organizations.
This kind of litigation gets VERY expensive, but it is CRITICAL to the success of RKBA in NJ.
OK, I think that is more than enough information for one message. Please feel free to contact me by email at [email protected] or on our Facebook Group Page if you have any questions, suggestions or comments.
I am sincerely interested in your thoughts and opinions and would like to hear from you.
Thank you, Frank Jack FiamingoPresident NJ2AS
About:
New Jersey Second Amendment Society – Our mission is to promote the free exercise of Second Amendment rights within the community and Legislature of New Jersey, to educate the community regarding the enjoyable, safe, and responsible use of firearms, and to engender a sense of camaraderie and fellowship among the members and their families. Visit: www.nj2as.com