Ben Shepherd
New member
Dear Friend of the Second Amendment,
We have an incredible opportunity to elect a pro-gun leader to
Congress.
You probably do not live in the second congressional district of
Ohio, but that doesn't matter. You may even have a Representative who
votes to disarm you. Regardless, here is your chance to get a
Representative who will fight for the freedoms of ALL gun owners.
Ohio's 2nd district is vacant (the incumbent has been named by
President Bush to be a U.S. trade representative). A special primary
election to fill the vacancy will be held on June 14. That's less
than a month away.
The district is considered a "safe" Republican seat. Therefore, the
winner of the June 14 Republican primary is almost certain to become
the next Representative in Washington from Ohio.
The good news is that you and I have a great pro-gun leader to
support in this race.
But first, let me step back and ask a question.
Have you noticed that although 2nd Amendment supporters have the
votes -- on paper -- in the U.S. Congress, the pro-gun agenda always
seems bogged down? A big part of the problem is that there just
aren't enough real leaders. Rather than simply vote the right way,
we need people who will actively push the Second Amendment agenda
forward -- even when their colleagues would rather not go on record.
Well, I can tell you this: Ohio State Representative Tom Brinkman
has a record of fighting to advance the rights of gun owners.
Brinkman has repeatedly introduced and pushed for votes on what GOA
calls "Vermont-style" concealed carry -- no permits, no licenses.
This year he has introduced a variation of the Vermont model that was
enacted in Alaska two years ago. It might be called "Vermont-Plus."
The plus is a provision to allow a gun owner to get a permit if he
wishes to do so. Some want a permit so they can carry a concealed
firearm in the many other states that recognize Alaska permits.
Others want permits so they don't have to go through a Brady
background check every time they buy a gun. The point of the
legislation is to leave the decision up to the individual gun owner.
Ohio's Republican governor, Bob Taft, won election to that office the
first time by convincing gun owners that he would sign a concealed
carry law. But, once in office, he did all he could to kill the
bill. In the end, Ohio got a concealed carry law, but it is one of
the most restrictive in the country.
Had it not been for Brinkman's constant push for less control via
Vermont-style legislation, I shudder to think what might have finally
gotten on the books. Such dedication to principle has not endeared
him to the Republican establishment.
Brinkman has opposed the establishment on other issues as well,
particularly by helping to kill a number of tax increases. While GOA
does not take a position on tax issues, I mention this to explain
that Brinkman is not expecting a ton of money from those who had
hoped to dine at taxpayers' expense.
The support from you and me -- individual gun owners -- contributing
whatever we can, be it $25 or $250, is the only way Tom Brinkman can
raise the funds he needs to run his campaign for the U.S. House of
Representatives in the very short amount of time before the election.
Today, I am asking you to please join me in sending a contribution
directly to Brinkman's campaign at:
Brinkman for Congress
PO Box 9714
Cincinnati OH 45209-0714
We have an incredible opportunity to elect a pro-gun leader to
Congress.
You probably do not live in the second congressional district of
Ohio, but that doesn't matter. You may even have a Representative who
votes to disarm you. Regardless, here is your chance to get a
Representative who will fight for the freedoms of ALL gun owners.
Ohio's 2nd district is vacant (the incumbent has been named by
President Bush to be a U.S. trade representative). A special primary
election to fill the vacancy will be held on June 14. That's less
than a month away.
The district is considered a "safe" Republican seat. Therefore, the
winner of the June 14 Republican primary is almost certain to become
the next Representative in Washington from Ohio.
The good news is that you and I have a great pro-gun leader to
support in this race.
But first, let me step back and ask a question.
Have you noticed that although 2nd Amendment supporters have the
votes -- on paper -- in the U.S. Congress, the pro-gun agenda always
seems bogged down? A big part of the problem is that there just
aren't enough real leaders. Rather than simply vote the right way,
we need people who will actively push the Second Amendment agenda
forward -- even when their colleagues would rather not go on record.
Well, I can tell you this: Ohio State Representative Tom Brinkman
has a record of fighting to advance the rights of gun owners.
Brinkman has repeatedly introduced and pushed for votes on what GOA
calls "Vermont-style" concealed carry -- no permits, no licenses.
This year he has introduced a variation of the Vermont model that was
enacted in Alaska two years ago. It might be called "Vermont-Plus."
The plus is a provision to allow a gun owner to get a permit if he
wishes to do so. Some want a permit so they can carry a concealed
firearm in the many other states that recognize Alaska permits.
Others want permits so they don't have to go through a Brady
background check every time they buy a gun. The point of the
legislation is to leave the decision up to the individual gun owner.
Ohio's Republican governor, Bob Taft, won election to that office the
first time by convincing gun owners that he would sign a concealed
carry law. But, once in office, he did all he could to kill the
bill. In the end, Ohio got a concealed carry law, but it is one of
the most restrictive in the country.
Had it not been for Brinkman's constant push for less control via
Vermont-style legislation, I shudder to think what might have finally
gotten on the books. Such dedication to principle has not endeared
him to the Republican establishment.
Brinkman has opposed the establishment on other issues as well,
particularly by helping to kill a number of tax increases. While GOA
does not take a position on tax issues, I mention this to explain
that Brinkman is not expecting a ton of money from those who had
hoped to dine at taxpayers' expense.
The support from you and me -- individual gun owners -- contributing
whatever we can, be it $25 or $250, is the only way Tom Brinkman can
raise the funds he needs to run his campaign for the U.S. House of
Representatives in the very short amount of time before the election.
Today, I am asking you to please join me in sending a contribution
directly to Brinkman's campaign at:
Brinkman for Congress
PO Box 9714
Cincinnati OH 45209-0714