Minuteman Monthly Newsletter Issue 42 January 2005 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Hello and welcome to the forty-second issue of the Minuteman Monthly Newsletter. As most of you already know, this newsletter is the monthly opt-in publication for www.SaveTheGuns.com. When I have engaged in conversation with someone who makes an anti-gun, anti-self-defense or anti-Second Amendment comment, I always find that they are stunningly ignorant about basic firearm education, the human right of self defense and the original intention and spirit of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. *** Have you ever had a conversation with an anti-gunner who knew that the gun was invented before the year 1300 and that the semi-automatic handgun was invented before 1895? *** Have you ever had a conversation with an anti-gunner who knew that self defense, defense of one's business and family has been a human right since before recorded time and that self defense with a firearm occurs more than 5000 times a day in the United States? And that in about 93% of these, the defender's gun is not even fired? *** Have you ever had a conversation with an anti-gunner who fully realized that the National Guard has nothing to do with the Second Amendment? And that the Second Amendment was ratified about 116 years before the formation of the National Guard? My guess is no. Nearly every single time I have had a discussion with someone with anti-gun opinions and beliefs, I have very quickly discovered that they don't have a single clue what they're talking about. How can we change someone's strong beliefs about guns, if they have never even handled a gun before? Invite them shooting, you may be surprised at their answer. I have always believed that people with strong gun control opinions, began their misguided journey, with an irrational fear of firearms. This irrational fear, fed and encouraged by the media, soon turns to animosity or even a hatred of guns and yes, even lawful gun owners. Getting them not to be afraid of guns and breaking this cycle of ignorance, fear and hatred is the key to winning our battle to Save-The-Guns. Will you commit to taking out a first-time shooter this coming year in 2005? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SAVETHEGUNS.COM QUOTES OF THE MONTH "I hope, therefore, a bill of rights will be formed to guard the people against the federal government as they are already guarded against their State governments, in most instances." Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1788 "While some have argued that the Second Amendment guarantees only a 'collective' right of the States to maintain militias, I believe the amendment's plain meaning and original intent prove otherwise." United States Attorney General John Ashcroft 2001 "We may be tossed upon an ocean where we can see no land nor, perhaps, the sun and stars. But there is a chart and a compass for us to study, to consult, and to obey. The chart is the Constitution." Daniel Webster "Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American. . . . The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the People." Tench Coxe, Pennsylvania Gazette, February 20, 1788. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SAVETHEGUNS.COM GUN SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH Have you ever thought what you might do if you ever found an abandoned firearm on the side of the road, at a park, or at your favorite fishin' hole? Here is some advice: Don't touch it, don't disturb the area, leave or get someone else to leave and bring a police officer to the scene. You may think I'm over-reacting, but listen to my reasons before making that judgment. 1.) A law-abiding, honest and upright gun owner, would NEVER leave his or her firearm somewhere outside, unattended. 2.) It is very likely that the gun was stolen and could have been used during the commission of a violent crime. 3.) It could have flesh, blood, bone, fingerprints, powder residue or other items of evidence on it, that may be useful in solving a violent crime and prosecuting the perpetrator. 4.) There could be bits of clothing in the area, as well as footprints and tire tracks that you shouldn't disturb. So leaving the area around the gun, undisturbed could be very important as well. So, if this unlikely event, ever happens to you, don't pick it up and bring it to the police station, which might be your initial reaction, but think about the area as part of a potential crime scene and act accordingly. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CONTRIBUTIONS BY CREDIT CARD http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3GXU3PIEM5ST1 Other ways to contribute... http://www.savetheguns.com/contributions.htm Thank you. I have just got in a lot of bills and could use a little help. Can you contribute this month? I hate asking for money and don't do it often. I have just got in bills for my anti-virus and software firewall renewals, monthly Web fees, domain re-registration and a new telephone. I have faith that you're going to come through for me, so I re-registered www.SaveTheGuns.com for another FIVE YEARS. Even five dollars ($5.00) from each of you, would more than double the money I currently have at my disposal. That's only a dollar a year, for the next five years. Thank you to those fourteen (14) of you, who sent in contributions in the past. Each child's question that I answer, each parent seeking advice and every visit to my popular "Buying A Gun" page, happens because of you. Together, we are educating the ignorant, encouraging and informing children and fighting gun control. THANK YOU. Oh yeah, that secure contribution page again: http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3GXU3PIEM5ST1 Can you help this month with just five bucks ($5.00)? My expenses for the month of December were $145.14. I know you guys and gals can help me recover $145.14. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MINUTEMAN MONTHLY AIMING POINT FOR JANUARY 2005 It's too bad this monthly newsletter is too long and too detailed for liberals to read and understand. It might change some minds. As I stated in my introduction, I have found that most people who favor gun control, began their misguided journey, with a lack of knowledge and an irrational fear of firearms. They just don't have a clue about how long they have been around (since about 1280). They don't know about the capabilities and limitations of firearms, how they work, or how many times they are used for self defense every day. We human beings, have always feared the unknown, from being afraid of the dark as a young child, to believing we could sail off the edge of the world before Columbus. How can we change the minds of the massive number of people who favor gun control laws? First, get them to replace their irrational fear of guns, with knowledge and confidence. This will break the cycle of ignorance, fear, alienation and enmity of guns and gun owners alike. Taking a first timer shooting and getting them to replace their lack of knowledge about firearms, with knowledge, appreciation, awareness and confidence is much more effective than jumping down their throats, with a pro-gun tirade and rattling off statistics like a Browning M2 .50 caliber firing at 500 rounds a minute. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Commission Based Earnings Did you know that www.SaveTheGuns.com earns a small percentage of anything you purchase after clicking on the advertisements on my Web site? That's right, if you buy anything from the ads I carry, or the links on my "Let's Go Shopping" page, I earn a commission that helps me pay for my expenses. http://www.savetheguns.com/let's_go_shopping.htm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MINUTEMAN MONTHLY AIMING POINT CONTINUED... Now that you know the best way to change someone's mind is to take them shooting, let's go over some tips I have learned over the years. What comes first? Safety of course. What good would it do to bring an anti-gun person shooting and have an accident and have to cut the day short for a hospital run? **Make sure you have enough safety glasses and ear protection. **Go over the three basic rules of safe gun handling found on my www.SaveTheGuns.com/safety_rules.htm page. I won't restate them here, because I am trying to shorten this newsletter. :-) **Have something very simple to use and less powerful, such as a revolver in .22LR. A perfect choice would be the Sturm-Ruger SP 101 in .22LR. For God's sake, don't start them off with a high powered .30 caliber rifle like a 30-'06 for their first time...they wouldn't be back. Likewise, don't start them off with a .44 magnum revolver either. **Make certain that gun safety rules play the largest and most prominent role of the day. Restate them often enough that they could restate them back to you on their next visit. **Whether you are at an official shooting range or not, there should be an area that you clearly designate as "downrange". Tell them that at no time, should the barrel point anywhere but "downrange". Make certain that "downrange" is a safe area to shoot at and be certain of where every bullet will come to a stop. **Tell them a little about ammunition, its components and how it works explaining the firing sequence (found on my "Firearms 101" page). **Clearly demonstrate how to load and unload the firearm they will be using and have them practice with a practice cartridge of some type or an unprimed one. This will show that you are serious about safety and it will impress them too. **Take them through a dry-fire exercise, if possible, showing them the six (6) fundamentals of shooting (also found on my "Firearms 101" page.) **Once you're confident that they know how to handle a firearm properly and that they have the three basic rules of safe gun handling down, as well as a knowledge of how to line up the sights and how to safely load and unload the gun, it is time to think about targets. Place a paper grocery bag at about thirty (30) feet on a target stand of some sort. It is far enough away for a novice to feel good about hitting and the plain brown grocery bag is large enough to give them immediate success and satisfaction. Even though it is not significantly hard to hit a grocery bag at thirty feet, show them immediate praise and congratulations upon their first successes. **As the bullet groups that they shoot begin to close in towards the center of the bag, then it is ok to introduce a real paper target with a bullseye. Watch bullet groupings on the paper target and give them pointers on how to close in those groups tighter. **Have them help you clean the guns afterward if time permits. Caring for a gun after shooting it is an essential part of the hobby and should not be ignored. In no time, you'll have someone with anti-gun leanings, applying for their first firearm permit. I encourage you to be there for them and help answer their questions. Send them to my Web site and I'll talk to them too. Encourage them to attend an official NRA Basic Firearm Education Course, taught by a Certified Firearm Instructor like myself. I will end this January 2005 issue of the Minuteman Monthly Newsletter with a challenge. WILL YOU COMMIT YOURSELF TO TAKING OUT A YOUNG BOY OR GIRL SHOOTING SOMETIME IN THIS COMING YEAR OF 2005? THE FUTURE OF OUR RIGHTS TO OWN AND USE FIREARMS, WILL DEPEND UPON THE LOVE OF FIREARMS BEING PASSED TO THE NEXT GENERATION. THEY ARE BEING VIRTUALLY BOMBARDED BY ANTI-GUN MESSAGES IN SCHOOL AND ON TELEVISION AND IT'S TIME OUR CHILDREN LEARNED THE TRUTH. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ As usual, you may forward, copy, print, paste, post or otherwise use this newsletter and it's contents, as long as somewhere in the information you use, you put my Web site address: http://www.SaveTheGuns.com Thank you for registering as a Minuteman Monthly Newsletter Recipient. Marc Richardson Owner, Founder, Webmaster, Publisher, Shipper, Receiver, Designer, Media Liaison, E-mail Answerer, Researcher and Sole Employee. Contributions by credit card? http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P3GXU3PIEM5ST1 If you don't want this newsletter or the legislative alerts anymore, just send me an e-mail with "Unsubscribe MMM" in the subject line to: info@savetheguns.com