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2006-06-30 - Carry License News Conference....
On Wednesday July 5th the Indiana State Police is having a Life Time License news conference. Indiana State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell will give an overview of the new law.
I don't have the location of the conference but according to the notice all are invited. I think it will be at the State Police Headquarters in Indy. You probably can get information by calling 317-232-8264. Mr. Whitesell has sent a letter to all agencies who will be issuing these licenses about the changes. There is also a supplemental application of handgun licenses available on a PDF for agencies to download until the new ones come out.
If any of you can make that conference I urge you to do so. I will relay any further information if I get it.
There will be several State Police officials present as well as the media. Indiana Sen. Johnny Nugent and Rep.Troy Woodruff will be there to take questions. Here are some of the questions they will expect according to the notice.
Potential Questions for the News Conference:
1. Why did you see the need to change the law to extend to life time?
2. Are you concerned that more people with permits we will have more gun crimes?
3. Why did you co-author the bill?
4. How will we track people violating the law to remove their license?
5. What are the advantages to the new permit?
6. Who is a proper person?
7. If I have a permit now can I apply for a life-time permit now?
8. How many permits do we issue annually?
9. How many permits do we revoke annually?
10. What are the circumstances we for revocation?
11. How many permits do we turn down annually?
12. Will this permit be recognized in other states?
I think back to that Tuesday on January 10th when those of us from the 2nd Amendment Patriots took a day off from work and drove to Indianapolis to testify in front of a senate committee.
Initially we were taking up where we had left off from the previous session in attempting to get on line license application. This time however, we had two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate going at the same time.
But again the state police was setting up obstacles by announcing an outrageous figure to set up the website.
I remember that less than a week after that hearing Senator Nugent called Margie to tell her we were in trouble with the bill because of the dollar figure proposed for the website.
I was at work on my truck route when I called Margie and she told me what Senator Nugent had said. I was frustrated and irritated to say the least at what the state boys were doing. As I drove between Henderson and Sebree, Kentucky I decided to change horses on them and go after the life time carry. That evening I presented it to Rep. Woodruff and Sen. Nugent.
Those two legislators took charge and worked that language through the General Assembly for the next several weeks. It was not easy getting everyone on board but they did it. We got the votes and the rest is history. This was government at it's finest. Citizens working with dedicated legislators and seeing it through to the end. It's called STAYING UNITED.
Speaking of that I want to remind everyone in Indiana who will enjoy the benefit of having a life time carry to remember there is somewhat of a debt you might say to these fine warriors who stayed the course for us.
I'm asking all of you the contact Senator Johnny Nugent and Representative Troy Woodruff and see how you can help them in this election year to get them re-elected.
Rep. Woodruff is looking for supporters to walk with him in the July 4th parade in Vincennes. This is ground zero for his district. Margie and I are going to rearrange our plans for the 4th so that we can be there for him. I know many of you have other plans too, but I'm asking if you good people would return a favor and help Rep.Troy Woodruff. It's our turn to help him now.
Here are the details for the parade.
We have shirts available for everyone who walks. If you plan on joining us, let us know what size shirt you’ll need**
Contact the Campaign Office at: info@mikesodrel.com
Join the Campaign E-Update List: www.MikeSodrel.com
2006-06-19 - Patriot Meeting Update...
The 2nd Amendment Patriot meeting this coming Saturday June 24th at 6:00 PM SHARP at the German Township Fire Station located on Hwy 65 (Cynthiana Hwy) is going to be one for our record books.
As I said we are going to have the honor of having Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman at the meeting. Becky is a supporter of our group and also of gun owners. Her time with us will be limited but she will speak to our group.
State Representative Troy Woodruff will also join us as well.
Also joining us will be the Democrat candidate for Congressional District 8, Brad Ellsworth. At the parade last Saturday in Haubstadt, Mr. Ellsworth told me he would like to address our group.
Democrat candidates Kreg Battles, running for state representative and Cecil (Bob) Allen, running for Gibson County Commissioner will also be there. Remember a few years ago when the Gibson County Commissioners passed an ordinance banning any weapon that could inflict bodily injury on any county owned or county leased property and our group turned that around with a wave of phone calls?
Libertarian state representative J.A. Thomas will also be there. This is going to be a chance to meet people who are running for office and positions that can make decisions that will affect all of you. Margie and I appeal to everyone in the nearby area to take time and attend. This would be a real good opportunity for gun owners to show strength in numbers.
Many of you receiving this letter live a great distance away, but you all are always welcome if ever you have the chance.
For food and refreshments Margie says bring picnic food items and desserts and regular soda pop. She has plenty of diet pop. Thanks.
This Sunday will be our next Appleseed shoot at the West Side Sportsman Club. Click on www.2ndamendmentpatriots.org and then click on Special Event Appleseed Shoot for details. Our terrific webmaster even put a site map access on there. It would be nice to have some idea of how many are coming so if you would just let me know.
2006-06-15 - Lt. Gov. Joining Us...
For the past two weeks I've been in touch with Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman's staff to arrange for her to attend one of our Patriot meetings. Today I received a letter from Nancy, her scheduler, asking if it would be OK for Becky to come to our June 24th meeting.
As it stands now she has a meeting in Newburgh until 6:00 PM and then she will meet with the 2nd Amendment Patriots.
For all of you in this area I want you to know that making these things happen is not real easy, but I think that these opportunities to meet with those in office and those running for office is a chance to have a personal encounter that the general public rarely gets unless they pay big bucks for a dinner. At our deal the meal is free. WON'T YOU ALL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO COME TO THIS JUNE MEETING? I know you'll enjoy yourself and Margie and I would sure appreciate your presence.
Summer is a busy time and just like all of you Margie and me have a lot of work around the house to be doing, but we also have an obligation. An obligation to help those who did for us this past session.
Rep. Troy Woodruff who worked very hard on the lifetime carry that goes into effect in just a couple of weeks needs people to walk with him in the Haubstadt Summerfest parade this Saturday. Line up starts at 11:00 AM. I don't have the exact location we'll form up at but if I get it I'll pass it along. Haubstadt isn't that big so we should find each other. Just fire a couple of shots in the air. I'm just kidding.
The replies I got back from my letter,"Who you gonna call", WOW you guys are something. Talk about making somebody feel good. Those comments really made our day. It's occurred to me that it's not an e-mail list I'm sending to. It's a community, you're family, brothers and sisters that share ideas, concerns and spirit common to everyone that has come together through these e-mails.
I've been talking with some of our members today about the wonderful replies that came back and we are going to put something together, maybe utilizing the 2nd Amendment Patriot website so that all of you can express yourselves, not in a typical forum, but in a fashion that allows you to inform others what is talking place in your particular part of the country or what you are doing.
I know that we met some of you at the Appleseed shoot here in Indiana. Though I got a chance to talk with some there were many that we didn't get to know better because we were busy shooting.
Maybe we could put an idea together on how we could have a "homecoming or a 1st reunion" in the near future so that we could meet face to face and get to know each other a little better.
It's just an idea that some of us was throwing around today. If you have any suggestions send 'em to us.
Don't forget to jump in and help the good candidates out there wherever you live and for those around here we'll see you this Saturday and next Saturday at our Patriot meeting and on Sunday June 25th, the day after our meeting will be our next Appleseed shoot. Steve our webmaster, who is a top gun on that stuff, has the info on our site as well as a map.
The West Side Sportsman Club www.wssc.us where we will be shooting also has the info.
Given the responses I've gotten back from that letter you're not alone in this world trust me.
Thanks and take care,
2006-06-13 - Who you gonna call?
I don't watch much TV, mostly channel surfing looking for something intelligent and not having much luck. As far as radio goes I try to catch the nightly business report and that's about it.
But sometimes I'll catch a radio on somewhere and there will be one of the popular radio talk show personalities on and at times I've heard them talk about a revolution in this country.
Did you ever think that if we'd have a revolution, tomorrow let's say, who would fight it? Some of the people you work with, or the family sitting next to you at your kid's softball game? Maybe it'd be the 19 year old at the end of the block, the one with the purple hair and pierced tongue.
Just reading about the ridiculous news accounts of what is happening in this country it seems that a revolution truly is the only way left. But who would you call to fight?
Unraveling the world's largest tangled fishing line knot would be easier than trying to unknot the mess in Washington DC.
At times it's difficult to distinguish between the two political parties. Some of the federal senators and reps I believe could sit in for their political counterparts and no one would know the difference.
That's why I feel our last stand is at the state level. At least at that level you can rely more on the fact that state legislators are more prone to stand with their constituents, at least that's been the case here in Indiana, but it's not 100%.
It's not a perfect world. For example right here in the town of Evansville there are city and county council members trying to pass an ordinance prohibiting restaurants and their owners from allowing smoking. I'm not a smoker but none of those clowns have a dime invested in those businesses. If the proprietor wants to allow smoking in HIS business then that's his decision not some panel of do gooders.
These people are elected, too. Wouldn't it be nice that when it came down to voting, the choice would be to vote for the better of the best instead of the lesser of the two evils?
Get active. Get some people you know who will go the distance with you and check out who is running for office in you area. Have your team meet on occasion and plan some strategy on how you can help the good guys and derail the bad ones.
On our website www.2ndamendmentpatriots.org we have some state and federal candidates that have their campaign info. These are some of the good guys. I hope they will keep their sights updated on what they need and what they are doing. Please tap into them from time to time and see what you can do to help.
Who you gonna call to fight? It'd have to be someone who knows what is at stake. Someone you can depend on and trust to stay in this for the long haul. That first person you'd call on would be you.
If you're getting this letter it's because you know the score and it's going to take someone like you to get things started. We have some good people working at the federal level when it comes to watching out for the Second Amendment. People like Larry Pratt and his crew at Gun Owners of America, Jeff Knox and his family and friends with the Firearms Coalition and Aaron Zelman with the Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership just to name a few.
But it's going to be up to us at the local and state levels to shuffle the deck in our favor. It's not rocket science. If we don't do it, it won't get done.
At our 2nd Amendment Patriot meeting coming up June 24th we hope to have two, maybe three candidates present. This will be a fine chance to see what these folks think the Bill Of Rights really means.
I have 176 good people on this e-mail list now. If you've read down this far I'd like to ask that you respond back. I'd like to know if all of the 176 are still getting these letters or if they've changed addresses and hope to never hear from me again.
A simple "got it" or "please stop writing to me" would work. Anything is fine just keep it clean.
Take care and have a good night.
2006-06-11 - Shooting / Uniting / Organizing
I've got a few notes here to share with you all. I'll start with this first.
The 2nd Amendment Patriots will be hosting the Appleseed shoots at the West Side Sportsman Club starting this month. Here is the schedule:
APPLESEED SHOOT
Sunday June 25 Sunday July 30
Sunday August 27 Sunday Oct.1
Sunday Oct 29 Sunday Nov. 26
Shoot starts at 1:00 PM $10.00 per shooter. Kids 18 yrs. and under shoot free
Equipment needed: Rifle 30 caliber or smaller ( center fire preferred, but rimfire will do ) Rifle slings are suggested. At least 2 mags for mag fed rifles.
150 - 200 rounds of ammo. Safety glasses, ear plugs and ear muffs. A mat or something to lay on ( you'll be shooting standing, kneeling or sitting, and prone position).
A stapler if you have one and a marker to mark your hits. Water or drinks and maybe sun screen.
We've received some very nice letters in the past week from some of you complementing the 2nd Amendment Patriots. Margie and I appreciate those kind words. Those letters come from good Patriotic Americans who represent the very people that they are thanking and those people are YOU.
Yes it's the folks here locally who started this movement that is being appreciated, but it's also each and everyone of you good people who are now receiving these letters. All of us now are connected whether it's from attending our monthly meetings or that we have met as a result of the Appleseeed shoot or through the web site, e-mails or just word of mouth, we have linked up.
This is one of the main goals that the 2nd Amendment Patriots has strived for. Getting people together. Many have written to say they want to start a 2nd Amendment Patriot group or a group like the Patriots in their area. THAT WOULD BE GREAT. We'd be happy to share what we've learned with everyone that would like to get started.
This is the perfect time with the elections coming up and the imminent threat that we are facing with a major political change. Our trustworthy webmaster Steve G. has posted some candidate information on our site, click on Links. I recommend those of you in Indiana to check them out and lend a hand. These are candidates that we can depend on. As gun owners we can't afford to gamble.
I remember back in 1999 when we started the 2nd Amendment Patriots, for the first few years we would set up at local gun shows to recruit for the NRA or maybe we would be involved in getting petitions signed for a measure we were working on in our state legislature.
It was interesting talking to all the gun enthusiast who would walk through the doors when we'd try to get them to help us. So many would shy away like we had the plague. They felt that being a card carrying member of a national gun group was doing their part.
Hearing these "heroes" giving us time after time the same line about "prying a gun from their cold dead hands" got old real quick. Especially when you asked them when was the last time you wrapped your hand around a phone or ink pen to tell your legislator what you're telling me and all you'd got back was this blank two dollar stare.
You know the ones I'm talking about, you've met them. These are the macho do nothings that would hand their guns over faster than the folks down in New Orleans could think of doing and likely wouldn't have the guts to ask for them back. That's the weight we are all packing.
You folks on the receiving end of this letter come from a different cut of cloth. You are true warriors. You're willing to learn to become riflemen by attending Fred's Johnny Appleseed Shoots, attend our local Patriot meetings and willing to start a group of your own in your corner of the continent. Keep marching forward, don't back down and don't look back.
I'm working with Lt. Governor Becky Skillman's office at arranging to have her scheduled to attend one of our meetings. Also fellow Patriot Ron Smith has invited a couple of Gibson county candidates, Kreg Battles and Cecil Allen, to our June meeting and as it stands now they will be there.
If any of you regardless of where you live have any info on what's going on in your area let us know.
2006-05-11
We received a letter from our very good friend and freedom fighter, Indiana Senator Johnny Nugent, informing us that he did not win a seat in the NRA's Board of Directors election.
It's unfortunate that he did not receive enough votes because his understanding of what it means to fight for gun rights is something the NRA would have benefited from greatly.
On behalf of the 2nd Amendment Patriots, and I think I can speak for Sen. Nugent, we want to thank each and everyone of you across the country that supported, helped and voted for him.
This is not Sen. Nugent's first attempt at this and I'm sure it won't be his last. Persistence and perseverance will pay off. That's the spirit we all must maintain. That's the spirit that those in the 2nd Amendment Patriots possess and we hope that all on this e-mail list will never let die.
Speaking of the 2nd Amendment Patriots, we're going to make more changes on the web site soon. There will be more pictures and some video of the Indiana Appleseed shoot. Also we're going to arrange for folks to be able to interact with the site and share questions and information. What we would like to have is a set up so that if there is something going on in your area in regards to gun rights you can notify others through our web site. It would be an opportunity for more networking, especially since we now have even more states on this e-mail list.
Another web site I'd like to mention is http://www.hoosierconservative.org/index.htm . My good friend, Carl, welcomes visitors.
There were a few members of the Patriots that got together tonight at a local restaurant to draw up a rough draft of a flyer about the group. Fred, who did the Johnny Appleseed shoot is wanting flyers about our group to hand out at the future Appleseed shoots. This would be a great opportunity for us to share with others on some of the endeavors we have taken on.
I hold little hope for our federal government ever coming to their senses. I mean look and listen at some of them. I doubt whether 95% of them could find their own food dish. I feel the battle of winning back our lost Liberties is going to come from the state level. Even some of the states have mirrored themselves after the federal government in the way they conduct their affairs.
However we stand a better chance of changing things and holding our position at the state level. For one thing most of the state legislators are more accessible. These folks live in your neighborhoods. I can't remember a time recently when either of our U.S. Senators made a trip to Indiana, especially in our part of the state. As for as I know neither one even lives here anymore.
No matter what state you live in you've got to get involved in finding out what you have in the way of state representation. Feel free to share with the rest of us what you have going on. Maybe there are others on this list who live near you that would be happy to help you.
Here's a quote you've seen me use many times. "In the Beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain
Two final notes. One, I suggest that if you want to join a gun rights group that works at the federal lever, then join Gun Owners of America http://www.gunowners.org/ . Tell my good friend Larry Pratt, President of GOA, I sent you. They are "no compromise when it comes to defending gun rights".
The other note is that we are going to hold our own Appleseed shoot on Saturday May 27th, from 9 AM to about 3 PM at the West Side Sportsman Club. Let me know if any of you plan on participating.
Feel free to respond to any of these letters, good or bad.
Take care,
2006-05-09
I'd like to make just a couple of announcements. First, most of these e-mails are in reference to things that may be happening here locally and are directed more at the 2nd Amendment Patriots in this area. However with so many new recipients that have joined this list I hope that all these good people will follow our lead in our efforts to protect and promote our gun rights.
Our 2nd Amendment Patriot meeting this month is Saturday May 27th at 6 PM at the German Township Fire Station on Hwy 65. Everyone is invited. That day is also going to be unique in that we are going to have our own version of an Appleseed shoot earlier in the day.
We will have the shoot at the West Side Sportsman Club located west of Evansville on Peerless Rd. The shoot will start with sign up at 9:30 AM Saturday May 27th. The shoot will start at 10:00 AM. The cost will be $10.00, you can pay when you get there. We're only going to be able to accommodate about 30 shooters this first time. So let me know if you plan to attend. Be sure to bring your eye and ear protection. You might want to bring some drinks and a little snack.
This will be a nice opportunity for those who were not able to make the shoot last month. It will be a lot of fun.
At our meeting later that evening we will have Indiana State Representative Troy Woodruff joining us to present our group with the ink pen that Governor Daniels used to sign HB 1176 the lifetime carry license with. Though that is Memorial Day weekend I hope that everyone will make every effort to attend.
No matter what you think our political conditions are currently, good or bad, you can be sure it's going to change after these elections.
As gun owners we can't just hold back and hope for the best because that just doesn't cut it. We all need to become involved in making our situation as good as possible. This is especially true at the state level. For those who mentioned they would like to start a grassroots group like the 2nd Amendment Patriots in their area here are some things to do.
Find out who your current state senators and representatives are if you don't already know. If they're good people and are up for re-election contact their campaign and ask how you can help. Find out what districts you live in. There will be townhall meetings and meet your legislators meetings this summer going into the fall. Get a couple of your friends and make some of them. Have your question ready. Be polite but firm. Be sure to ask your question in a manner that cannot be answered with a yes or no.
Be direct and expect a direct answer. Here in Indiana we want to help Sen. Johnny Nugent and Reps. Troy Woodruff and Jackie Walorski in their campaigns.
Thanks for your support in the cause,
2006-05-01
Indiana Johnny Appleseed,WOW!!! I'm still pumped up. If any of you from around here haven't seen the Sunday Evansville Courier and Press, you need to get a copy. The reporter and photographer did a great job of reporting on the shoot. We even got the photographer to lay down his camera and pick up a M1A
rifle and assume the prone position.
That front page article has a terrific color picture of part of the rifle line showing all types of rifles and firing line. That article was more than a news story. It's a handbill, a flyer, a poster. It's a free ad that we couldn't afford to buy. We need to take advantage of it.
I'm asking all of you to get a copy of the article. Get your neighbor's, friends and families' copy too. Cut the complete article out with picture and paste it to a paper, poster board or cardboard backing. Then take those to your local gun shops, bait and tackle shops, family hardware store, boy/girl scout meetings, church bulletin boards, wherever you can think of and post it in plain sight for all to see.
We must take advantage of this kind of publicity. This is one way to spread those Appleseeds. These are things that the 2nd Amendment Patriots do. It's simple, inexpensive and effective.
Now about the shoot. First I want to thank our Almighty God for answering all the prayers asking to be spared all the rain that was being forecasted for this past weekend. The "meteorologist" had written this weekend off. The weather held and we had a great time.
Thanks to the members of Red Brush gun range for all the hospitality and use of their facilities. Also all the folks in the 2nd Amendment Patriots and others who donated food, money and other items to provide food and beverages for everyone. I personally want to thank all those who helped Margie in preparing the lunches, those who cooked and served. I know that everyone appreciated their hard work.
To Fred, the RWVA and all the fine instructors who made this event an absolute success, the 2nd Amendment Patriots are forever grateful. Our own fellow Patriot Tommy Smith was range instructor and fellow Patriot Jason Thorpe assisted on one of the firing lines.
From the moment Fred addressed everyone on what this project was about and why to Sunday's final 40 round rapid fire from a firing line that would stretch across two football fields, it was an American Patriot's dream come true.
There were the nicest people from all across this country to learn how to become riflemen. Husbands, wives, children and grandchildren were all learning the skills that our forefathers possessed. Fred described what took place on April 19, 1775 and why we need to instill that spirit in ourselves and our children.
That SPIRIT was taken off of life support this past weekend. The spectacle of 152 shooters all learning from excellent instruction the skill of becoming a rifleman and all the gun fire and aimed shots being taken over and over cannot be justly described with mere words. You would have to hear it and smell it to completely comprehend what was transforming right before our eyes.
I've referred to this as an event or a shoot, but in reality it was, as Fred said, a synergy. A cooperative action, a force of fellow Americans who understand where exactly our Country is. What ominous threats we are facing and how those threats increase while our fellow citizens sleep.
Those REAL AMERICANS who converged this weekend to learn more about our history and our future is all that stands between servitude and those sleeping lambs.
It's unfortunate for those who COULD NOT attend RWVA's Johnny Appleseed Shoot, on the other hand, it's regrettable for those who WOULD NOT attend.
On behalf of the 2nd Amendment Patriots, we sincerely want to thank Fred and RWVA for the Johnny Appleseed education.
This letter is also going out to all the new e-mail addresses who have signed on. This is grassroots networking at it's finest.
It Passed!!! 2/28/2006What have you people done? Well I'll tell you. You guys STAYED UNITED and we got the job done. Here is what Rep. Troy Woodruff wrote me today: The first lifetime handgun license in the country just passed. This has been a textbook example of what grassroots activism can do. Sen. Johnny Nugent and Rep. Troy Woodruff have demonstrated their willingness to take a firm stand and not back down on doing what's right, just like those of you in the 2nd Amendment Patriots. We have all taken on the fight and have seen it to the finish.
I'm hoping to extend this victory beyond the boundaries of Indiana. We're looking forward to a ceremonial signing by Governor Daniels since he will be the first governor to sign such a bill. I would hope that those receiving this letter who are involved in gun rights such as, GOA, NRA, JPFO and Fred's at ShotGun News and maybe even the editors of gun publications across the Country will be willing to publicize the efforts of the 2nd Amendment Patriots and Sen. Nugent and Rep. Woodruff.
The reason I'm hoping to see this broadcast across the land is for one reason and that is to show others what can be done when you quit talking about it and get up and DO SOMETHING. This has been our goal for many years now. To show what grassroots can do. Believe me the 2nd Amendment Patriots define "grassroots". We are low budget, I'm mean real low. Our source of money comes from the pockets of those who come to the meetings and kick in.
We don't own a meeting hall and we are not structured to where we have elected positions or appointed committees. Everyone has equal voice.
Thanks again to everyone who helped make this happen. The trips to the capital to testify, the phone call blitz to targeted legislators and committee chairmen and the constant communications with the two warriors, Sen. Nugent and Rep. Woodruff.
Fellow Patriot Tommy Smith and I are scheduled to appear on Warren Korf's radio talk show 1280 AM this Friday at 8:05 AM to talk about this unprecedented victory. I hope we get more opportunities to promote the idea of just what regular citizens can do when they elect the right people to office.
I ask that all of you call or e-mail Sen. Nugent and Rep. Woodruff and please thank them. We will get this on our web site: www.2ndamendmentpatriots.org and if you have anything to send to the sight send it to webmaster@2ndamendmentpatriots.org.
Here is a reply I got today from "Fred's" in reference to whether kids will need a consent form for the Johnny Appleseed Shoot:
Yes, there will need to be "consent" forms, in the from of a liability waiver agreement signed by the parents.
I will send some up with the new color brochures we have on the program. Just waiting on delivery from the printer - should be a week or ten days...
So far, IN sign-ups are leading sign-ups of all the other states combined!
You guys are doing something good up there.
PS: The report on the NC Appleseed Tour is now on www.rwva.org, click on the 'forum', then range reports...
Congratulations to all for a job well done!!
Jim and Margie
2nd Amendment Patriots STAY UNITED Meeting 2/20/06 |