New Jersey Coalition for Self Defense

The Board of NJCSD regrets to announce that Bob Barush, the Director of Legislative Affairs for NJCSD, has informed the Board that he is stepping down. Like many of us active in the gun rights world, Bob has been busy with a variety of efforts working to help restore, preserve and protect the rights of New Jersey gun owners. His decision to leave his post with NJCSD was based on his desire to spend more time with another effort where he feels he can be more effective and make more of a difference. This is a personal decision and, although Bob will be missed, the Board and Officers of NJCSD wish him the very best success in his chosen efforts and know that he will continue to be an active and vital force for Liberty and New Jersey gun rights.

The NJCSD remains committed to promoting and securing change on a legislative level. Anyone who wishes to contribute to that effort, or has a background or knowledge suitable to fill the Legislative Affairs committee chair position, are encouraged to contact Robert Kreisler, President or Arthur Rosbury-Yoder, Executive Director to discuss the opportunity.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gun Rights Orgs Predict Second Amendment Incorporation

Township of Washington, NJ – June 25, 2010 – The New Jersey Coalition for Self Defense has once again applied a unique analysis tool to predict the outcome of the McDonald v. Chicago case currently being considered by the Supreme Court.

Using what’s known as the KJ Analysis, the NJCSD concluded that the justices will find in favor of McDonald and that the Second Amendment will be incorporated against the states under the 14^th Amendment.

The Violence Policy Center, displaying an enviable aptitude for temerity, carefully categorized and painstakingly described 95 incidents occurring over 3 years in 25 different states for a section of their website they have conscientously dubbed "Concealed Carry Killers". (Somewhere, Ed Wood is smiling.)

During that same period of time, close to 5 million people in all 50 states were able to celebrate a birthday, pick up their kids from school, barbecue some burgers, shop for shoes, watch a movie, finish a home improvement project, bring home a paycheck, and swap stories at the local watering hole. These citizens were able to prevent violence from destroying their lives because increasing numbers of legislatures across the United States are doing the right thing by recognizing an individual's right to protect self, family and property by the most effective means available - a firearm.

Thirty-nine states now have "shall-issue" laws when it comes to carrying firearms, and these states have seen violent crime rates drop or remain steady - they have not increased. According to the 2004 FBI Uniform Crime Reports, states with restrictive laws that reflect the Violence Policy Center's recommendations suffer violence at an 11% greater rate than the national average.

The Violence Policy Center's slogan reads "Research, Investigation, Analysis and Advocacy for a Safer America", but it's obvious that the only ones who stand to reap any safety from their efforts are the violent criminals that the Violence Policy Center inexplicably ignores.

For those of you who weren't able to make it to Washington DC this past Monday the 19th, you all missed a great time.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect - a beautiful sunny day, light breeze, cool temperatures and gun rights activists from all over the country.

At least two thousand showed up for this first Second Amendment March, short of the number we hoped for, but all in all, not too bad.  I had the great good fortune to be involved with the March from a marketing standpoint and had the unique priviledge of being there the night before when the various speakers arrived for a live interview with Mark Walters on the Armed American Radio Network.

At least a dozen packed into the studio, with more spilling in the hallways as Mark began his inerviews kicking off with ManCow who (figuratively) set the studio on fire with his customary blistering observations, followed on by Second Amendment luminaries like Dick Heller and his partner Dane vonBreichenruchardt of USBOR, Larry Pratt of GOA, Stewart Rhodes of Oath Keepers, Michael Bane of Downrange TV, Tim Schmidt of USCCA, and many others.

Download the podcasts here:
http://armedamericanradio.org/2010/04/aar-broadcast-4-18-2010-hour-1/
http://armedamericanradio.org/2010/04/aar-broadcast-4-18-2010-hour-2/
http://armedamericanradio.org/2010/04/aar-broadcast-4-18-2010-hour-3/

Shot taken of ManCow from my camera phone while jostling around the studio:

To be in the company of such eloquent, intelligent and stalwart Patriots was an experience I'll never forget.  This was a history-making event.  To the best of my knowledge, never before have so many known RKBA luminaries been in one place at one time for one cause.

The next day was, in a word, an experience.  To be on the grounds of the Washington Monument on such a beautiful day was a treat, but the speakers were awesome.

Many have commented on what was disappointing turnout.  While one always hopes for more, all things considered, the attendance was not bad at all.  Pause for a moment to consider this.  There was a party held for an absentee celebrity (the 2nd Amendment) with no beer, no food, no raffles and no giveaways where Americans came from across the country at their own expense (many spending hundreds for fuel, tolls, food and lodging) to be present.

Not everyone has the 'stones' to take a day off from work and travel a long distance.  Those couple thousand on the green remind me of the handful who were with Washington at Valley Forge.  From small beginnings grow a mighty oak.  I'm reminded of Thomas Paine's words from "The Crisis" when naysayers begin grousing in the background:

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."

As a fitting end to this first ever Second Amendment March, the SAM has produced a LIMITED EDITION large format (16x20!) photographic print based on Oleg Volk's work to commemorate the event.  Autographed by the speakers at the march, there are only fourteen (14) of these available.  Each will be beautifully framed with two 'Challenge Coins' (which were only minted in a limited edition of 100) and will be sold for a price of $1500 to help offset the enormous costs of holding this event.

Keep in mind that never before that we know of have so many well-known 2nd Amendment patriots gathered in one place at one time.

Signatures and links:

Larry Pratt, GOA	Dick Heller, USBOR
Mark Walters, AAR	Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers
ManCow, Free Speech Network	Michael Bane, Downrange TV
Rep. Paul Broun, GA Congressman	David Codrea, Gun Rights Examiner
Tim Schmidt, USCCA	Nikki Stollard, Pink Pistols
Nikki Goeser, RKBA Activist	Rev. Kenn Blanchard, 'Black Man With A Gun'
Sheriff Richard Mack, Author/NRA Hall of Fame	Suzanna Hupp, TX Congresswoman (ret.)
	'Doc' Thompson, WRVA
	Skip Coryell, Founder and Author

Please help support the SAM any way you can, but most especially by purchasing one of these beautiful prints.  Contact us to learn more about how to arrange for payment and delivery by using the 'contact' link at the left and send us a message.