MCDL PRESS RELEASE: GUN LOCK TURN IN

D

dZ

New member
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Wayne Ericksen, P.E. | | President | | wayne.ericksen@mcdl.org

Samantha Britton | | President-elect| | samantha.britton@mcdl.org

GUN LOCK TURN IN

"First Annual "Turn In Your Gun Locks" event at the Takoma Park Folk
Festival on Sunday,
September 10, 2000"

COLUMBIA, MD (August 23, 2000) --- The Maryland Citizens Defense League,
P.O. Box 2035, Columbia, MD 21045 (http://www.MCDL.org) will be holding
the first annual "Turn In Your Gun Locks" event at the Takoma Park Folk
Festival on Sunday, September 10, 2000 (see their website at: http://www.tpff.org).

Why turn in your gun locks to MCDL? Because when seconds count, and your
gun's locked, you're dead. Because in clear violation of the Second
Amendment, we are being forced to buy them before we can pick up our firearms.

Because gunlocks are simply another ruse by the control fanatics of HCI,
VPC, MAH(A), members of congress and others, to systematically desensitize
Americans to their ultimate goal of victim disarmament. It is creeping
incrementalism of the most malodorous sort.

Gun safety will NOT be co-opted by the forces of evil which would make
decent citizens more vulnerable to criminal attack to advance the cause of
criminal protectionism. Gun safety is OUR responsibility, our "choice," as
is the defense of life itself, and we determine how to make firearms safe
in our homes: gun locks, safes, or safety education and training.

Nationwide, while gun accident deaths are at an all-time low, crime rates
are dropping EVERYWHERE faster than in Maryland. In the case of MURDER and
VIOLENCE, Maryland clearly lags behind our 49 sister states while in
ROBBERY Maryland beats all contenders for the dubious title of "Home of
America's Most Robbed Citizens" since 1995. Do you want firearms
safety? Eddie Eagle works, as does the more traditional safe handling and
training.

If you like gunlocks, then you'll LOVE knife locks and probably preemptive
handcuffs for parents too as more children die at the hands of their
parents and guardians than from ANY weapon. Absurd? So are gun
locks. And unnecessary.

So, come one, come all, bring your hated and unneeded gun locks to Takoma
Park on September 10th, and we will take them to be smelted into ingots for
manufacture of new firearms to be raffled off at a later date. A receipt
will be given for each lock which is good for one chance in the raffle.

Turning the vile instruments of government control, our shackles, back
into swords. Has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say?

Hope to see you in September.

Maryland Citizens' Defense League. http://www.mcdl.org

Maryland: Home of America's most Robbed Citizens, since 1995.
 
DZ the NRA supported the mandatory trigger locks sales part of the anti-gun bills
s254 and hr1501 so all of the above is hogwash.
I mean after all the NRA is our leader....
and my congressmen at the behest and A+ rating of the NRA voted for that bill.
But because its illegal to do so Iver never ever thought about haning the man for being
a fragging traitor right next to Wayne the sell out Lapierre.
The thought never crossed my mind.
Some new guns actually have three safeties,hmm lets see put all of those on, add that nifty trigger lock sold with the gun
then to keep it from the children or anyone who needs it put it in your gunsafe with the guns you dont plan to use till the middle of the winter.
Hmm yep that guns secure and your a tting duck for anyone with a good crowbar.
Gun-safety its a life....
hmmm.Just kinda might bring us back to the thought of the 30's when before we had gunlaw one we had a tenth the crimerate we do today and a gun in every other home.
DZ have you seen JPFO's shirt 'trigger locks rapist approved'?? If you get it you can very clearly see the trigger lock and key the lady is trying to get together as the rapist grabs her. www.jpfo.org www.keepandbeararms.org

------------------
"those who sacrifice
liberty for security deserve neither"
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ruger45:
I mean after all the NRA is our leader....
[/quote]

Maybe someone else's.. but not mine. I have more faith in the GOA than the NRA.



------------------
God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
Interstingly enough, another MD pro-gun group plans to give away gun locks, provided by a local gun dealer, at the Takomaa Park festival as part of a gun safety promotion.

Someome's reply that they were GOA, not NRA strikes the same dischordant note as the two MD groups taking different approaches to the same issue. Who cares whether you are NRA, GOA, JFPO or whatever - We should all be one group - GUN.

Divide and conquer. There seems to be so few vocal/active gun rights supporters.
 
sounds to me like someone needs a class action suit against the lock manu. for all the bad locks and against those that mandated them!!!!!!!
 
Gun locks = useless. Pure and simple! They are just meant to add to the total cost of buying a gun legally, and to further demonize firearms and their owners!

------------------
Dead [Black Ops]
 
This is great news ... exactly what we need.

And, we need more people in the streets, demonstrating, and voicing their demands for freedom from the ignorant fools that insist on running our lives.

Time to close ranks, and show that we're mad as hell, and not going to take this anymore.

Regards from AZ
 
Although I have never been on the business end of a gun I want to have a preemptive lawsuit against gunlock manufacturers.

Why?

Well If I am ever on the business end of a gun and there is no trigger lock and I am unarmed for some reason then things may get messy. Had the trigger lock been made better the BG would not have been able to remove it so easily in order to prevent a crime against me! :D

------------------
Try to take away my gun...and you will see my 2nd Amendment Right in ACTION!!! -Me

FOR THE CHILDREN!!!!
 
Join GOA and NRA twice in one year! I did! Now I have more votes in each. You know what they say in Chicago - "vote early-vote often!"
 
My SIG came with a trigger lock when I bought it over a year ago. Prior to acquiring my CHL, the only time it was ever used was when I left the house, to prevent this
Instagib.gif
from happening to me when I got home. I took the key with me when I left.

Now that I carry it concealed, there is no reason whatsoever to put it on my gun (it's sorta like a chastity belt- ugh
SH1A.gif
). I only keep it around now 'cuz it might be handy to throw at the BG as a diversion!
disturbed.gif


------------------
Pray as though it's all up to God, act as though it's all up to you.

Aim small- miss small...

If it isna Scottish, it's CRAP! RKBA!

[This message has been edited by Jedi Oomodo (edited August 26, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Jedi Oomodo (edited August 26, 2000).]
 
Gun supporters to spread message at folk festival

by Mark Celender
Staff Writer

Sep. 6, 2000

Few social events are likely to attract a more liberal-leaning, sandal-wearing,
peace-loving congregation than the upcoming Takoma Park Folk Festival.

So it might seem a bit of a culture clash for Wayne Ericksen to be extolling the virtues
of firearms and the right to bear arms while others at the festival are dabbling with
dulcimers and pennywhistles.

But Ericksen, president of the pro-gun organization Maryland Citizens Defense
League, says the festival is fertile ground for adding more balance to the debate over
gun control.

"They have a bunch of gun control fanatics there," he said of Takoma Park. "Usually
the folk festival brings a lot of liberals who want gun control."

So Ericksen and his colleagues will be setting up an information booth at the folk
festival Sunday and inviting the public to participate in the first Turn in Your Gun Locks
event.

Protesting a new state law that requires gun locks for all firearms sold starting Oct. 1,
the citizens group is asking like-minded residents to hand over their locks to be
melted into ingots.

In a symbolic gesture, the ingots will be sent to a gun manufacturer to be molded into
firearms, which will be given away in a raffle.

"Turning the vile instruments of government control, our shackles, back into swords
has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say?" states a news release issued by group.

The man behind those words is Norman Balog, 44, of Burtonsville, a retired Army
captain and practicing physician with a fervor for gun rights and a founding member
of the Maryland Citizens Defense League.

"As a physician, I see human life as sacred and worth protecting," Balog said in
supporting the use of firearms for self-defense. "I'm a recovering liberal but I have
always believed in a right to our firearms."

The citizens group may not claim that happiness is a warm gun, but when it comes to
self-defense -- be it during a robbery or tyrannical acts by a government -- it wants
unfettered access to pull the trigger.

"I don't look at it as anything to do with gun rights but more of human rights," Balog
said.

As for gun locks, the group disdains them as nothing but another incremental effort
by government to gradually disarm the people.

"Gun safety will NOT be co-opted by the forces of evil which would make decent
citizens more vulnerable to criminal attack to advance the cause of criminal
protectionism," Balog said in the news release.

It is not that the group hates gun locks so much as they do being forced by the
government to use them.

When the group -- which claims about 30 members in seven counties in Maryland --
sets up shop at the Takoma Park Folk Festival, it will be armed with a full magazine
of slogans and statistics.

The group has its own Web site (http://www.mcdl.org) chock full of links to
gun-related topics, including a good number of items that challenge the stated
dangers cited by those who support more gun control.

One item notes that since Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D) -- a strong proponent of gun
control laws -- has taken office, Maryland has risen to become fifth in the nation in
violent crime, fourth in murder and first in robbery.

With that backdrop, the Defense League suggests you almost need a gun to ensure
personal safety.

"You can't put a police officer in every home," said Balog, whose wife and two children
also are gun enthusiasts (his 4-year-old daughter only shoots air rifles but has a
.22-caliber rifle picked out for her fifth birthday).

"When you most need a police officers, they are not there," he added. "By the time you
need an officer, you are toast."

Such talking points will be cited repeatedly by members of the Defense League when
it mans its folk festival booth.

There also will be plenty of catchy slogans on buttons: "Self-defense is a family
value," "We support a woman's right to choose," "Stop the violence, carry a gun" and
"More guns, less crime."

How the group's message plays to the folks of Takoma Park remains to be seen.
After all, this is the same community whose citizens last year were embroiled in a
debate over a proposed referendum to outlaw possession of handguns. A court
struck down the measure before it could go to voters.

Ericksen noted the group had a booth at last year's festival and talked mostly about
gun safety and the need for Americans to have a choice if they chose to protect their
families and homes with a gun.

"We sit in the booth like everybody else and talk to people," Ericksen said.

He conceded, however, that this year's "Turn In Your Gun Locks" event could cause a
few emotions to flare.

Should that occur, Ericksen is armed with a sticker stating, "This is a gun-free home.

"We give those out to the anti-gun people to put on their homes," Ericksen said.
"These people say guns aren't a deterrent. But why won't they stick it on their
homes?"
 
MikeK: You're right, it's utterly illegitimate that we might have any disagreements over tactics, or that any other organization might pursue a different strategy for defending our rights than the sacred NRA, the sole repository of truth and justice. The NRA is, and must remain, the only face of the pro-gun movement the public is allowed to see.

NRA uber alles! Seig heil! Seig heil! Seig Heil!

You might get the impression that I'm a tad anoyed with this "How dare you fail to fall in line behind the NRA!" stuff; You'd be right. How about the NRA falling in line behind the GOA sometimes? Is the only alternative to "divide and conquere", "Unite and surrender"?

------------------
Sic semper tyrannis!

[This message has been edited by Brett Bellmore (edited September 09, 2000).]
 
The Washington Times - Metropolitan Section - Saturday, September 9, 2000

MARYLAND - GUN-LOCK PROTEST SET FOR TAKOMA FAIR

by Gerald Mizejewski, The Washington Times

The laid-back Takoma Park Folk Festival, with its veggie-burger booths,
acoustic-guitar players and storytellers, isn't the sort of event where
gun-rights advocates have typically sought out new support.

But that's exactly what the Maryland Citizens Defense League plans to do
tomorrow, when members of the gun-rights group will man a "Turn in Your Gun
Locks" table to protest Gov. Parris N. Glendening's gun-control legislation.

Any locks turn in, according to members will be smelted into ingots for
manufacture of new firearms to be raffled at a later date. A receipt,
given for each gun lock, will be good for one chance in the raffle.

Takoma Park, a city of 18,600, is considered one of the most liberal
communities in Maryland, and the peace-loving festival could be an
interesting setting for such a standout stunt. That's why it was chosen.

"I think we could end up with some Million Moms coming over and haranguing
us," said Wayne Ericksen, president of the 2-year old gun-advocacy
organization, which has about 30 members.

He and his colleagues also will be armed with statistics, fact sheets and
charts to bolster their argument that government should not require the use
of gun locks.

According to a press release posted on the Maryland Citizens Defense
League's World Wide Web site (www.mcdl.org), gun owners should turn in
their locks because "when seconds count, and your gun's locked, you're dead."

It continues" "Turning the vile instruments of government control, our
shackles, back into swords. Has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say?"

Mr. Glendening, a Democrat, this year advocated -- and eventually signed
into law -- legislation requiring gun buyers to purchase external safety
locks with all new handguns sold beginning Oct. 1.

Manufacturers will be required to install built-in locks on all new
handguns sold in the state after Jan. 1, 2003.

Festival staff said they welcome the league's presence. Organizers pride
themselves on giving a forum to community groups with opposing views.

"Sure, they belong," said Kevin Adler, publicity chairman for the festival.
"We debated this, actually. We're unanimous in agreeing that we're an open
forum."

He stopped short of predicting the reception the Maryland Citizens Defense
League would receive.

"Certainly, people in Takoma Park are passionate about what they believe
in, and the city has some history of promoting gun-control activities," he
said.

Last year, a petition drive gathered 2,500 signatures -- enough to get a
referendum on banning handguns in Takoma Park on the November ballot. But
a Montgomery County judge ordered officials to remove the handgun questions
from the ballot.

Only questions that would change the form or function of government can be
petitioned to ballot, Circuit Judge Vincent E. Ferretti Jr. said, adding
that banning handguns does not qualify.

Mr. Adler's only concern is that gun owners may bring their locks to
festival still attached to firearms. He urges interested residents to
bring just their locks.

The Maryland Citizens Defense League attended the festival last year,
though volunteers just handed out buttons and literature. This time, like
last, also will bring out volunteers from the Million Mom March gun-control
effort, who will run their own table.

Tierney Siegel, president of the Montgomery County chapter, called the
turn-in "obscene."

"I'm shocked by the blatant disregard for the safety issues surrounding gun
ownership," she said. "Why don't we just go ahead and take our seat belts
out of our cars while we're at it?".

The Million Mom March started as a major Mother's Day Rally on the national
Mall and continues to lobby Congress for gun licensing and registration
laws. Members will have membership forms at their booth along with bumper
stickers and T-shirts.

As for the crowd's response to the Maryland Citizens Defense League, Mrs.
Siegel said, "I don't think for one second [the league] will have much if
any response that's positive."

Scott Hollenbeck, who garnered widespread attention with a handgun raffle
that raised $16,000 for Carroll County Republicans this year, said the
league will be "in the lion's den."

"I expect they could be called names like 'baby killer'," he said.

The festival, organized by residents each year since 1978, will be held in
athletic fields behind the Takoma Park municipal building. Aside from
community tables, the event offers music, dancing, crafts and food.

Mr. Ericksen said he doesn't "expect hundreds of people" to drop off their
gun locks. "I certainly have a couple I'm going to bring," he said.
 
"This is a Gun-Free Home" - I love it. This is an idea that definitely will spread. I wish I could make it to the festival.. I would love the opportunity to confront the soft-hearted facists.
 
I need to protest the statement that gun locks are useless.

The cable lock that came with my Ruger is perfect for locking the lid of my gas grill shut. Now my neighbor doesn't invite himself over for a backyard bbq when I'm not home.

Marty
 
Takoma fair features guitars and
gun locks

By Ellen Sorokin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
http://www.washtimes.com/metro/default-200091121441.htm
People attending the 23rd annual Takoma Park Folk Festival yesterday
were encouraged to sample ethnic foods, enjoy a little acoustic guitar music,
buy a few handmade crafts — and turn in their gun locks.
Many did just that. In fact, the Maryland
Citizens Defense League, a gun-rights
advocacy group that set up a booth at the
festival, collected 60 gun locks in less than
an hour after the event began.
"Wow, I can't believe they got so much in
so little time. I don't even know what to say
to that. Just wow," said Takoma Park
resident Sandy Glassman, who took her two
toddlers to the festival, which was held on
the athletic fields behind the Takoma Park
Municipal Center.
The Citizens Defense League set up its
"Turn in Your Gun Locks" table at the
daylong festival in one of the most liberal
communities in Maryland to protest Gov.
Parris N. Glendening's gun-control legislation.
Mr. Glendening pushed through the General Assembly and signed into law
a bill requiring handgun buyers to purchase external safety locks for their
weapons, beginning next month. Gun makers will be required to install built-in
locks on all new handguns sold in the state after Jan. 1, 2003.
Yesterday, one woman heckled the volunteers at Citizens Defense League's
booth, but many festival-goers stopped by to offer encouraging words.
"I'm so glad you guys are here," Takoma Park resident William Jeffries
told the volunteers. "Thanks for showing up."
"It went well," said Norm Balog, a volunteer at the league's booth. "We had
one man who turned in some 30 gun locks."
The group's members handed out fact sheets, bumper stickers and charts to
bolster their argument that the government should not require the use of gun
locks.
Takoma Park, a city of 18,600, has some history of promoting gun control.
In fact, 2,500 signatures were collected to get a referendum on banning
handguns in the city on the November ballot. The peace-loving festival was an
interesting setting for a gun-rights group to gather support.
"It does take courage for them to be here. I just wanted to give them some
encouragement. We shouldn't have one point of view on everything," said
Takoma Park resident Martin Morse Wooster, who had stopped by the
league's booth to show his support.
The league's most vocal opposition came from volunteers for the Million
Mom Foundation, which lobbies Congress for gun-licensing and registration
laws. Those volunteers expressed outrage at the league's presence at the
festival.
"We feel that it's so obscene that it almost deserves no comment," said
Tierney Siegel, president of the Montgomery County chapter of the Million
Mom Foundation, who sat at a booth across the field from the gun-rights
group's table.
When told of the 60 gun locks that were turned in within an hour, Ms.
Siegel said: "That's 60 accidents waiting to happen. And one accident is too
many."
The Citizens Defense League collected a total of about 100 gun locks.
The group's volunteers said they chose to represent the 2-year-old gun
advocacy group at the festival to tell residents that gun locks provide a false
sense of security.
"They do more harm than good," Mr. Balog said. "The locks do nothing
for safety."
Any locks that were turned in, Mr. Balog said, will be smelted into ingots
for manufacture of new firearms to be raffled in about six months. A receipt,
given for each gun lock, will be good for one chance in the raffle.
Other groups that set up booths to promote their causes agreed that the
league had a right to be at the festival and express their views, even though they
didn't share the group's belief.
"As a matter of free speech, they certainly have the right to be here," said
Bob Stewart, a member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central
Committee and local labor activist. "Their grossly irresponsible advocacy of
turning in child safety gun locks shows that they can only be strong [George
W.] Bush supporters."
Others disagreed. "I have no problem with them being out here," said
Robert Culver, co-chairman of the Montgomery Citizens for a Safer Maryland,
a group that teaches gun safety. "They have a message to deliver and they're
totally right in their basic message. Everyone has the right to defend
themselves without encumbrance."
 
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