Dear Firearms Owner and Second Amendment Supporter:

As we travel throughout the state of California, working for the restoration and preservation of our Second Amendment freedoms, we (Ed Worley and H. Paul Payne) frequently receive questions from firearm owners concerned about the situation in this troubled state.

In this letter, we will try to address some of the questions/concerns that are frequently raised.

“I was at an event recently and heard someone say, ‘The NRA has abandoned California. Join our group instead.’ Has NRA abandoned California??? If the NRA has not abandoned California; What has the NRA done for California lately???”
The NRA is extremely active in California. In fact, it has been active here for quite some time. But it might not appear to be as active as it actually is, for a number of reasons. For example: Since California has nearly a single-party rule in the state legislature, many legislative strategies and tactics might not always be as obvious as many of us would like to see them. But they are there! Frequently, subtle - but highly coordinated - actions are far more successful than simply demonstrating all of our strategy for everyone (including our opposition) to see. Fighting smart has proven itself as important as fighting hard!

As employees, who are also NRA member/activists, we value and respect California’s NRA members. Therefore, you won’t see us wasting your time, and limited resources, in vain attempts to wipe all of the bad gun laws off of the books in a single legislative effort. More realistically, you will find that many of the bills that we support have an actual chance at legislative success and will make incremental change that will benefit California’s law-abiding firearms owner, hunter, collector, and sportsman. This has proven to be the case, but incremental change is a slow process.

Is this as sexy as making promises of complete firearms freedom for very little effort? No. But it is truthful and more realistic!

“Can you Help US, or Can we help YOU to save our Firearms and Hunting rights???"
YES! But only if we all stand together and work as a coordinated team to protect our freedoms. This includes our individual Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms - as well as our freedom to hunt, shoot, use public lands for legitimate purposes, etc.

"We are very frustrated with what has happened and what is happening in California and the rest of the nation regarding our gun rights and the ridiculous laws they are imposing on us, not to mention all of the hunting restrictions."
As native Californians, sportsmen, hunters, shooters, firearms owners, NRA Life Members, and law-abiding citizens, we both share these frustrations with you. And as California-based employees of the NRA, it is almost staggering to reflect upon the thousands of hours that we, as well as our NRA Board Members and volunteers, have dedicated to the opposition of bad laws and regulations and the support of good ones. And we have not yet mentioned the huge effort of NRA's California legal team. Their extraordinary efforts have helped us at every step of the way and in every venue - legislative, regulatory, and (of course) legal.

In fact, whether we're working with the legislature in the State Capitol in Sacramento, meeting with Fish & Game Commission or other government body/officials, or attending the AL TAUCHER'S PRESERVING HUNTING AND SPORT FISHING OPPORTUNITIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE meetings; our strategy and tactics are derived from a coordinated effort utilizing NRA's staff, Board of Directors, officers, legal team, and volunteers. As tough as the situation in California is, we truly believe the only reason we are able to accomplish what we do, is because of the effectiveness of our team concept.

"In our organization (club, group, association, etc.) we have a number of very dedicated people who want to make a positive change, but we really don't know how to go about it. Sure, we send letters to our congressmen, but that's a joke."
It makes both of us tremendously happy that you would like to help the NRA change the situation in California that we find ourselves in. As we mentioned previously, California is a tough state in which to be a hunter/sportsman/gun owner. But every time we add to our ranks; work together and coordinate our efforts; and function as a united team; we increase our likelihood of success. Are we saying that if you’d only join NRA's California team we'll win every battle? No! Not hardly! But together, we have more strength and can share the load - and spread the word to an even larger audience, thereby increasing our numbers/strength even more.

But we must object to one of your statements. We can assure you that contacting your elected officials in not "a joke." In fact, whether they like to admit it or not, most elected officials (especially State Senators and State Assemblymembers) do pay attention to the calls/letters/faxes/e-mails that come into their office. That's not to say that they do exactly what we want - every time we want - but a massive amount of coordinated contacts from throughout the state helps give Ed (our NRA lobbyist) the influence that he can use to our side's advantage. This is incredibly important in a state where there is almost complete one-party rule of the legislature and many in that party's leadership are not friendly to firearms and hunting issues.

Traditionally, knowing when and how to contact our legislators has been quite confusing and, at times, somewhat difficult. There was also the issue of understanding the bills (legislation) and what each one proposed to do -- and knowing how that would affect our hunting/sporting/firearms issue could be extremely frustrating. That's why we have spent so much effort developing a legislative alert/update system that has no equal. We track all firearms/hunting bills that the NRA's California Team has an interest in at http://www.calnra.com . 

On the front page of CalNRA.com you will find the legislation tracker/calendar "Mini-Box" that has a brief description of the bills that we are tracking as well as upcoming events that are listed on the NRA Members' Council Calendar. This "Mini-Box" can be uploaded onto any web site in California, as a free service provided by the NRA Members' Councils of California. Feel free to add this feature to any web site that you feel would benefit from its inclusion. This can be done by following the simple instructions at http://www.calnra.com/importlegs.shtml . Note: The legislative and calendar information in "Mini-Box" will automatically update each time we change the information on our main legislative page and/or the on-line calendar. You will NOT be required to perform any maintenance or updates at any time. It’s all automatic!

Each link in the legislative section of the "Mini-Box" takes the user to a detailed information page for each bill. Complete legislative information can be found, at any time, by clicking the link to the California NRA Legislative Information & Contact Tools page (aka Legs page) at http://www.calnra.com/legs.shtml . On the "Legs page" you will find links to legislative contact information for each State Assembly Member and State Senator and the committees that we would normally expect firearms-related legislation to be heard in.

Also on the "Legs page" is the "ONE-CLICK" e-mail tool. This unique tool allows the user to send a single e-mail message to an address that we provide. In turn, the user's message is duplicated to send that exact message to every member of the targeted legislative body. Example: Assembly = 80 e-mails // Senate = 40 e-mails // Assembly Public Safety Committee = 7 e-mails // etc. (most legislators have e-mail addresses). The NRA California Team's staff and volunteers update the necessary information and direct the "ONE-CLICK" system to the proper areas of the legislature as needed. More information regarding using electronic mail for lobbying can be found at http://www.calnra.com/tip-email.shtml .

"There sometimes are marches or demonstrations in Sacramento, but few people show-up and nobody there cares to listen to us."
This is excellent point!!! For the most part capitol rallies, marches, protests, are not taken very seriously by the legislature. I'm sure that you are referring to the "Lobby Day" some groups put together on May 6, 2008. NRA participated in this effort, but our experience has taught us the political realities regarding capitol protests. Therefore, in anticipation of a very small turn-out (about 48 - 50 people attended) NRA urged its California activist/volunteers to lobby from all across the state. We call this a "Virtual Rally" and you can see the details at http://www.calnra.com/calerts/calert042908.shtml . Both of us were in attendance and, as we anticipated, the turn-out was quite small. But when we went from office-to-office NRA members were calling-in and sending e-mails and faxes in huge numbers.

"I know I am preaching to the choir, but I wanted to let you know how I feel, how we feel so that you know we are serious."
We believe you and your members, are serious -- and dedicated to the restoration and preservation of our freedoms. If we didn't believe that, we wouldn't invest the time to discuss this issue with you. But it will take more than just an e-mail or two. It will take time and effort to be effective. We have been, and still are, determined to take whatever necessary time and make whatever effort to win. Join with us and we'll join with you. Let's work together towards our common objectives.

"How do we not only STOP the restrictions, but how do we reverse them? It seems almost impossible. There is strength in numbers and we are willing to help."
It's NOT impossible to "stop the restrictions" and even "reverse them" but it takes a lot of work. For example: Very few people believed we could pass AB1645 the "Emergency Powers" bill in California in 2007. Representatives from some groups attacked our effort and the ONLY firearm/hunting group to support NRA's AB1645 was the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance. But we passed it! See: http://www.calnra.com/fairfax/ab1645signed/ .

Once again, you are correct. NUMBERS = STRENGTH!!!! And when we can coordinate those numbers, and the strength that it represents, we have a much better chance at success. Your groups' members can join with NRA in California and increase our effectiveness by increasing our numbers. We have several levels that you can choose to become involved and we have listed a few of them in this letter.

As Program Administrator for the NRA Members' Council Program, Paul’s area of responsibility is the MCs. NRA Members' Councils (MCs) are groups of NRA members, within California, that coordinate their efforts both nationally and on the state & local level - effectively using teamwork, education, and communication to achieve NRA's goals and objectives. MCs do not compete with clubs or other groups, they complement them. Members’ Councils do not charge dues or fees to participate. The requirements are that you must support NRA policies, be an NRA member, and be a registered voter (if a citizen of voting age). Your willingness to be part of the team and donate your time and effort is what we ask of you. MC volunteers have been working together since 1989 throughout California. The NRA Members' Council web site is http://www.nramemberscouncils.com or http://www.calnra.com (same thing). To get involved in the NRA Members' Council Program you can fill-in the on-line form at http://www.calnra.com/volunteer/index.shtml or you can contact Paul Payne directly. Although NRA Members' Councils act within NRA policies and don't set policies, they do have influence with NRA staff – Ed and Paul included. NRA staff often solicits input and listens to suggestions from these dedicated volunteers and two-way trust is valued by all those involved.

The California-Alert System (CAL-ERTs) is a "general release" alert/update provided to all individuals and pro-Second Amendment organizations by the NRA Members' Councils of California in coordination with NRA staff. Self-subscription to CAL-ERTs occur in two ways: 1) Automatically when a member joins the Members' Council via the on-line form at
http://www.calnra.com/volunteer/index.shtml or 2) When someone self-subscribes at http://e-govmail.com/cgi-bin/subscribe.cgi?to=nramemberscouncils.com . The message on the CAL-ERTs subscription page says it all -- "The CAL-ERTs we distribute are produced in close association with NRA staff at the capitol. When released, these reports often describe events that have transpired within the hour. As such, they are an important source of timely information to help NRA members respond in support of NRA's goals in the Golden State. We will never send out a CAL-ERT casually. CAL-ERTs are your window into what is happening in Sacramento regarding gun rights at a given moment. If you receive a CAL-ERT, something important is happening." Archived CAL-ERTs can be found at http://www.calnra.com/calerts/archives/index.shtml .

To receive e-mail updates from NRA-ILA, fill-in the on-line form at
https://secure.nraila.org/EmailSignup.aspx . You can also check the box (near the bottom of the page) to receive daily web site updates from NRA-ILA.

This is just the tip-of-the-iceberg. The NRA is quite involved in California and we welcome you on to the team. There is so much more that occurs throughout California, and NRA is involved throughout this state. Our efforts and dedication to California is huge. With you on the team, our strength will grow and so will our effectiveness.

“Why doesn’t NRA spend its money to sue the state of California and the cities to repeal anti-gun actions???”
Actually, we do! But many times, upon receipt of NRA’s Pre-Litigation Demand Letters, cities and other jurisdictions will recognize the fact that they will lose the very costly legal battles and they simply acquiesce to our demands to remove offending legislation and ordinances. Although this costs the NRA a significant amount of money, it is far less expensive than if each case had gone to trial.

In many cases, that actually go through the entire trial process, the various jurisdictions will constantly appeal their losing cases to higher and higher courts. An example of this was seen in the Fiscal (aka Proposition H) case in San Francisco. The NRA won this case at each level and our victory was finally affirmed by the California State Supreme Court.

Other cases, such as Hunt v. Lockyer, carry-on for several years for various reasons including the fact that these cases provide the NRA with an incredible amount of information that we would not otherwise be able to acquire.

"I would like to invite Ed Worley or Paul Payne to speak or at least meet with our group at a monthly meeting, if you are so inclined."
It has always been our policy to meet with any NRA member(s) who would like to discuss NRA activities in California, especially if he/she/they want to get involved and help NRA defeat the anti-freedom forces and protect our Second Amendment freedoms. As we have repeatedly told members throughout the years, either of us will appear at your meetings or we will meet with you individually or in groups, as our schedule permits. “If you want to talk to either of us (or both) about something -- give us a call.” To us, it’s all the same. If you are willing to help, we are willing to assist you in any way that we can. As firearms owners/hunters/sportsmen, we are all in this together. Working together only makes sense.

So, as a beginning, let’s review the few basic activities that you can do to help NRA's efforts in California.
• Install the legislative "Mini-Box" on your web site(s) -- http://www.calnra.com/importlegs.shtml
• Join your local NRA Members' Council -- http://www.calnra.com/volunteer/index.shtml
• Subscribe to the California-Alert System (CAL-ERTs) -- http://e-govmail.com/cgi-bin/subscribe.cgi?to=nramemberscouncils.com
• Subscribe to NRA-ILA alerts from NRA HQ -- https://secure.nraila.org/EmailSignup.aspx

*** Feel free to contact Ed Worley and/or H. Paul Payne at your convenience, and schedule our appearance at your meeting(s).

In closing: If you have an idea, a question, a concern, a suggestion, etc. please don't hesitate to give us a call. If, for any reason, we aren’t available when you call --- we'll call you back when we can talk. It's that simple. Communication is the easy part. Freedom isn't free!

Yours, for the Second Amendment,
 

Ed Worley Ed Worley NRA-ILA California State Liaison 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 625 Sacramento, California 95814 (916) 446-2455 Office

H. Paul Payne H. Paul Payne NRA Liaison to the Executive Vice President 3565 La Ciotat Way Riverside, California 92501 (951) 683-4NRA (4672)

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