Published October 2004
In This Issue MCPPA Lawsuit Update Pg 2 Stopping Judicial High-Jacking Shooting Range Preservation Hello Minnesota "Assault Weapons" Ban John Kerry on Firearms President Bush on Firearms About CCRN Grades
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Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election
Welcome to the CCRN! election year newsletter. We've much to share: -- Updates about issues effecting Minnesota gun owners in this 2004 election year. -- A comparison of John Kerry and George Bush on firearms issues. -- Grades for Minnesota State House of Representatives candidates and a judicial candidate. We hope that you, the outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen, gun collectors, carry permit holders, and casual shooters of Minnesota will find this newsletter useful during this election year. Inform yourself, make a choice, and vote!
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Judicial Candidate Grades Pg 4 Grades for Minnesota House Candidates Pg 4-6 Mailing List Sign-up and Donation Form Contact Info
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Concealed Carry Reform NOW! is a volunteer organization Concealed Carry Reform NOW! relies on your donations to pay for this newsletter. Each edition cost between $7,000 and $8,000 to create, print, and have mailed to our mailing list. In addition, CCRN! volunteers drive bundles of this newsletter to gun shops, shooting ranges, and hunting preserves for distribution. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. Our goal is to help 100,000 Minnesota gun owners take action to defend the firearms rights of all Minnesotans.
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Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election
CCRN! -- October 2004
MCPPA Lawsuit Update
As you are aware, the opposition has two lawsuits against Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act (MCPPA). Those lawsuits put our new carry permit system in limbo. One lawsuit claims the "guns banned" signs infringe on religious liberty. Another claims MCPPA was passed by the legislature using an unconstitutional means. In the second case, MCPPA was declared unconstitutional by a Ramsey County District judge. This lawsuit is under appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Oral arguments are expected in late October during November. CCRN! has filed a "friend of the court" briefs supporting MCPPA. These legal briefs highlight facts and precedent that will help us win. It is unlikely the lawsuits will be settled by Election Day. We'll go through the courts first, and the legislature again (if we have to). For lawsuit details and copies of the legal briefs, visit the CCRN! website: http://www.mnccrn.org/. And yes, your carry permit is still good while the courts work away.
Shooting Range Preservation
Be honest. How many shooting ranges can you or your friends remember being closed over the past five years? How many new ranges have opened in your county during the same period? Thought so. Across the nation, shooting facilities are disappearing. Sometimes these are closed voluntarily, as land becomes too expensive to resist selling, or more often, these are simply "zoned out" of existence by over-zealous county boards, city councils, and other officials who cave-in to developers wanting to build near ranges, even when the ranges had been there for decades. Shooting Range Preservation legislation is vital to Minnesota. And it continues to be stalled in the legislature. County and city associations are trying to "fine-tune" the bill to death, in hope that it just "goes away." That's not acceptable. Minnesota is a state of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen. Whether we're a hunter, casual shooter, or carry permit holder, we all need a place to practice. And without adequate ranges, we’ll never be able to teach the next generation of shooters about firearm safety, shooting skill development, and love of the outdoors. Before you vote, ask your candidates whether they support Shooting Range Preservation.
Stopping Judicial High-Jacking
The recent high-jacking of the legislative process by the stroke of a single judge's pen serves as a warning to all Minnesotans, regardless of what they think about the Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act (MCPPA). When a judge declared MCPPA unconstitutional, he thumbed his nose at 5 million Minnesota citizens. The judge didn’t like the law, will of the people be damned. And he justified his ruling not by faulting the law itself, but by attacking the manner in which it was passed. Never mind that MCPPA has worked effectively for a year and a half. Never mind that countless other Minnesota laws have been passed in the very same way. Never mind that MCPPA has been debated openly and publicly for over eight years. One ruling and Presto-Change-o! MCPPA is placed in limbo until a more sensible appeals court overturns this decision. In this election year, Minnesotans (and gun owners in particular) should send a message to candidates by supporting those who favor having judges who believe in interpreting the law, instead of "legislating from the bench."
Goodbye Federal "Assault Weapons" Ban; Hello Minnesota "Assault Weapons" Ban
The federal law banning so-called "assault weapons" sunset this year. Good riddance to a feel-good law that did nothing. The opposition doesn't feel good about that. Expect them to try a new "assault weapons" ban at the state level in Minnesota during 2005. What helps us is this: Those that support the Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act (MCPPA) will oppose a Minnesota "assault weapons" ban. And those who've waffled on MCPPA will probably support an "assault weapons" ban.
Want More Candidate Info?
Get on the web and checkout the NRA's website at http://www.nrapvf.org/Elections/Default.aspx or Gun Owners of America at http://www.gunowners.org/. To find out how your Minnesota state representative voted, visit http://www.minnesotavotes.org/.
CCRN! -- October 2004
Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election
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John Kerry on Firearms
Is a picture worth one thousand words? For a Senator who has been absent from numerous floor votes, absent from security briefings, and absent from the hunting community except during elections, John Kerry somehow found time to cast 59 anti-gun owner votes on firearms bills, including votes on firearm bans (voting nine times to ban some or all semi-automatic firearms), ammunition bans (on calibers used for hunting that Kennedy and Kerry claimed also penetrated soft body armor) waiting periods, additional restriction on gun shows, and increased restrictions and costs on FFL holders. Kerry also voted to close over 1,000,000 acres to hunting. Fortunately, firearm enthusiasts have been given some telling glimpses into John Kerry’s almost comical lack of knowledge when it comes to firearms and hunting:
Mr. Kerry says (reminding us yet again where he was 35 years ago): "My favorite gun is the M-16 that saved my life and that of my crew in Vietnam. I don't own one of those now, but one of my reminders of my service is a Communist Chinese assault rifle." So Mr. Kerry's favorite gun is an "assault" rifle designed for war. Funny talk coming from a guy who just went ballistic over the end of the "assault" weapons ban. (Wall Street Journal 9/17/2004 pg13) Even the NRA calls Kerry "[The] most anti-gun Presidential nominee in United States history". The bottom line is that gun owners have to worry about John Kerry. He may have "flip-flopped" on every other issue, but when it comes to gun owners, he has proven to be alarmingly consistent: He votes against you.
John Kerry, pictured giving the "thumbs up" after voting to extend the silly "Assault Weapons Ban" along with Senators Schumer (New York), Feinstein (California) and Kennedy (Massachusetts), all his co-authors. Much more than a mere extension, the bill would add new restrictions on semi-autos that would threaten hunters who own many common hunting rifles and shotguns.
"Probably I'd have to say deer… I go out Consider that when you go to the ballot with my trusty 12-gauge double-barrel, crawl around on my stomach." [And from box this year. the] October edition of Outdoor Life… When asked about their favorite guns, President Bush responds: "My favorite gun is a Weatherby Athena 20 gauge." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Court lawyer, Solicitor General Theodore President Bush on Firearms Olson, has said: "The current position of -- Has kept private sales of firearms the United States… is that the Second private. FFL sales at gun shows still As Governor of Texas, George Bush Amendment more broadly protects the undergo background checks. (No change signed that state's Concealed Handgun rights of individuals, including persons from present law.) Law. He also spent one million dollars to who are not members of any militia or give away trigger locks. As President, his engaged in active military service or -- Opposes government mandated approach to gun control has been to pick training, to possess and bear their own registration of all firearms owned by lawand choose, based on a fundamental belief firearms." abiding citizens. (No change.) that gun ownership is a guaranteed Second Amendment right and that -- No registration at the federal level. And most importantly: It is certain the personal (and parental) responsibility is a (Again, no change.) next President will appoint two to four core value. That said, Bush's core beliefs justices to the Supreme Court. It is clear seem fuzzy but are remarkably consistent: that George Bush's Supreme Court -- He clearly opposes manufacturer appointments will be more likely to liability lawsuits. That's important, for -- President Bush agreed to sign an such lawsuits affect all gun owners, from support an "individual right" Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) bill, and interpretation of the Second Amendment. raising homeowners insurance rates to a voiced a willingness to sign an even more hidden "lawsuit tax" that raises the price restrictive extension of the ban on assault It is also very likely the Supreme Court of firearms and ammunition. weapons. will hear a Second Amendment case sometime in the next four years. -- He supported a "clean" manufacturer -- On the other hand, President Bush did protection bill, without add-ons that not push the AWB, but instead left And here in Minnesota, a single judge violate the rights of firearm enthusiasts. Congress to decide. Congress let AWB was able to thwart the will of Minnesota's sunset. five million citizens. -- He clearly supports concealed carry and the "individual right" interpretation of the -- Stronger enforcement of existing Consider that when you go to the ballot Second Amendment firearm laws (such as Virginia's Project box this year. Exile) and instant background checks at Further, the administration's top Supreme gun shows.
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Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election
CCRN! -- October 2004
About CCRN! Grades
Grades are determined from answers to questions in the CCRN! Candidate Survey, past votes, public statements, and reports from CCRN! members. These grades are information for you to use when making your choices this election year. Grades are: A+: Leads the way for gun owners and sportsman in Minnesota (very few qualify for this grade). A: A stalwart supporter of Minnesota gun owners and sportsman. B: Can be expected to support Minnesota gun owners and sportsman, but is not yet a proven "A-team" member. C: Not necessarily a passing grade. Has ignored Minnesota gun owners and sportsman in the past. D: Not acceptable and not a friend of gun owners. F: Hostile to sportsman and gun owner civil rights. F*: Probably hostile to Minnesota sportsman and gun owners: refused to return the CCRN! survey.
Judicial Candidates Grades; Hennepin County: Steve Baker gets an A
Minnesota judges are elected and now enjoy more freedom to make their views known. But few have. Steve Baker did, and earned an A grade. Mr. Baker is running for District Judge in Hennepin County. We hope Mr. Baker's example continues with other judicial candidates.
CCRN Grades for Candidates to the Minnesota State House of Representatives
Candidates are listed by district number, candidate name, party affiliation, and grade for the 2004 election. Find your district number, and then find your candidates and grades. 01A 01A 01B 01B 02A 02A 02B 02B 03A 03A 03B 03B 04A 04A 04A 04B 04B 05A 05A 05B Valerie Solem Maxine Penas Bernie L. Lieder Lonn Kiel Kent Eken Jim Ellefson Brita Sailer Doug Lindgren Irv Anderson W.D. (Bill) Hamm Loren A. Solberg Douglas W. Aitken Frank Moe Adam Steele Doug Fuller Carl R. Samuelson Larry Howes Tom Rukavina Gerald Williams Anthony "Tony" Sertich DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL F* A A A A F* F* A A F* A F* C F* A A A A F* A
05B 05B 06A 06A 06B 06B 07A 07A 07B 07B 08A 08A 08B 08B 09A 09A 09A 09B 09B 10A 10A 10B 10B 11A 11A 11A 11B 11B 12A 12A 12A 12B 12B 12B 13A 13A 13B 13B 14A 14A 14B 14B 15A 15A 15B 15B 16A 16A 16B 16B 17A 17A 17B 17B 17B 18A
John J. Spanish Allen Thomsen David Dill Marty Breaker Mary Murphy Dale Brodin Thomas Huntley Steve Peterson Mike Jaros Timothy S Marczak Bill Hilty Uriah Wilkinson Tim Faust Judy Soderstrom Lauri Winterfeldt-Shanks Wade Hannon Morrie Lanning Paul Marquart Tim Sycks Maryjane Westra Bud Nornes (Jim) James A. Adamietz Dean Simpson Larry Zilliox Glenn Kuehne Torrey Westrom Mary Ellen Otremba Marlene Clark Don Samuelson Larry M. Anderson Paul Gazelka Bob Keeton Al Doty Greg Blaine Bruce Shuck Bud Heidgerken Al Juhnke Bonnie Wilhelm Kent Nelson Dan Severson Larry Hosch Jim Derose Anne Nolan Jim Knoblach Joe Opatz Randall Olson Gail Kulick Jackson Sondra Erickson Jim Huhtala Mark Olson Pat Sundberg Rob Eastlund Jeremy Kalin P. J. Richardson Pete Nelson Kevin Johnson
Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL G R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL G R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL
F* F* A A A B F B F B F B F* A F* F* F A A B A F* A F* F* A A C B F* A F* F* A F* A A A F* A A B F* A F* B F* A F* A F* A D F* A F*
CCRN! -- October 2004
Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election
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18A 18B 18B 19A 19A 19B 19B 20A 20A 20B 20B 21A 21A 21B 21B 22A 22A 22B 22B 23A 23A 23A 23B 23B 24A 24A 24B 24B 25A 25A 25B 25B 26A 26A 26B 26B 27A 27A 27A 27B 27B 28A 28A 28B 28B 29A 29A 29B 29B 30A 30A 30B 30B 31A 31A 31B
Scott Newman David Detert Dean Urdahl Geoffrey Tenney Bruce Anderson Lori M. Schmidt Tom Emmer Aaron Peterson Jeff Moen Lyle Koenen Colin Berg Pat Mellenthin Marty Seifert Joe Eckstein Brad Finstad Kathryn Ness Doug Magnus Richard Peterson Rod Hamilton Ruth Johnson Lance A Bennett Howard Swenson John Dorn Louise (Lou) Dickmeyer John D. Gibeau Bob Gunther Terry Clodfelter Tony Cornish Bruce J. Bjork Laura Brod David Bly Ray Cox Kathy Muellerleile Connie Ruth Patti Fritz Lynda Boudreau Jerald Kaphers Keith A Porter Sr. Dan Dorman Jeanne Poppe Jeff Anderson Sandy Wollschlager Jerry Dempsey Scott Metcalf Steve Sviggum Spencer Stevens Randy Demmer Kim Norton Fran Bradley Tina Liebling Carla Nelson Andy Welti Bill Kuisle Gene Pelowski Jr Nick Ridge Peggy Hanson
R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL
F* D A F* A F* F* F A A A F A F* A F* A A A F* F* A F F* F* A F* A F* A F* F F* A F* A+ F* F A F* A F* A A A+ F* A F* A F* A C A F F* F*
31B 32A 32A 32A 32B 32B 32B 33A 33A 33B 33B 34A 34A 34B 34B 35A 35A 35B 35B 36A 36A 36B 36B 37A 37A 37B 37B 38A 38A 38A 38B 38B 39A 39A 39B 39B 40A 40A 40A 40B 40B 41A 41A 41B 41B 41B 42A 42A 42B 42B 43A 43A 43B 43B 44A 44A
Gregory M. Davids Caroll Holmstrom Arlon Lindner Joyce Peppin John Olson Terry P. Brennan Kurt Zellers John Muenich Steve Smith Carol Eastlund Barb Sykora Paul Kohls Richard "Dick" Stolz Sue Sperling Joe Hoppe John M. Sheehan Mike Beard Ashley Sierra Mark Buesgens Mark Solomon Mary Liz Holberg Benjamin Coler Pat Garofalo Shelley J. Madore Lloyd Cybart Lax Sundae Dennis Ozment Christine Harbron James Hammes Tim Wilkin Jim Carlson Lynn Wardlow Kelley Stoneburner Paul Ives Joe Atkins Cassandra "Cassi" Holmstrom Will Morgan Charles Aldrich Duke Powell Ann Lenczewski Randy Elledge Laura Davis Ron Erhardt Aaron Schweiger David Allen Neil W Peterson Maria Ruud Peter Adolphson Carol Bomben Erik Paulsen Sheryl Frieman Jeff Johnson John Benson Ron Abrams Steve Simon Jim Rhodes
R DFL Ind. R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL G R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Lib. R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R
A F* A A F* F* A F A+ F* A A F* F* A F* A F* A F* A+ F* B F* A F* A F* F* A F* A F* A F A F* F* A F A F* F F F* F* F* A F* A+ F* A F D F* F
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Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election
CCRN! -- October 2004
44B 44B 45A 45A 45A 45B 45B 45B 46A 46A 46B 46B 47A 47A 47B 47B 48A 48A 48B 48B 49A 49A 49B 49B 50A 50A 50B 50B 51A 51A 51B 51B 51B 52A 52A 52B 52B 53A 53A 53B 53B 54A 54A 54B 54B 55A 55A 55A 55B 55B 56A 56A 56B 56B 57A
Ron Latz John Palmatier Sandra Peterson Ben T. Thome Lynne Osterman Lyndon R. Carlson Brian J. Hanf Gregg Prest Mike Nelson Linda J. Etim Debra Hilstrom Trudy Petersen Denise R. Dittrich Bill Haas Melissa Hortman Stephanie Olsen Mike Starr Tom Hackbarth Bob Trewartha Jim Abeler Jim Pithan Chris Delaforest Leeann Mortensen Kathy Tingelstad Barb Goodwin Nathan Jones Geri Evans Char Samuelson Kendra Brodin Andy Westerberg Connie Bernardy Darrel S. Benedix Pam Wolf Rob Rapheal Ray Vandeveer Rebecca Otto Matt Dean Paul Gardner Phil Krinkie Emily Waymire Doug Meslow Mindy Greiling Teri Graham Bev Scalze Ryan Griffin Leon M. Lillie Brian D. Balfanz Jan Steiner Nora Slawik Kelley Koemptgen Marc Kimball Mike Charron Leonard "Len" Price Karen Klinzing Katie Sieben
DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL
F A F* F A F A A F F* F F* F* A F* A B A+ F* A F* A F* A F B F* A F* A F A B F* A F B D A F* A F B F* A F* F* A F F* F* A F A F
57A 57B 57B 57B 58A 58A 58B 58B 59A 59A 59A 59B 59B 59B 59B 60A 60A 60A 60B 60B 61A 61A 61B 61B 62A 62A 62A 62B 62B 63A 63A 63B 63B 63B 64A 64A 64B 64B 65A 65A 65B 65B 65B 66A 66A 66B 66B 67A 67A 67B 67B 67B 67B
Kellie Eigenheer Jed Iverson George Bateman Denny Mcnamara Joe Mullery Dan Niesen Keith Ellison Jay Cyril Mastrud Diane Loeffler Tom Taylor Valdis Rozentals Phyllis Kahn Becki Smith Ron Lischeid Amanda Hutchings Margaret Anderson Kelliher Sigrid Hutcheson Tom Gromacki Frank Hornstein Jeremy J Estenson Karen Clark Frederick J. Coates Neva Walker Andy Lindberg Jim Davnie Carol Grishen Robert J. Garrison Jean Wagenius Susie Valentine Paul Thissen Amy Vrudny Dan Larson Joe Koch Pat Kirby Matt Entenza Kirstin Beach Michael Paymar Kristina R. Jilek Cy Thao Paul Holmgren Carlos Mariani Bill Dahn Lori Windels John Lesch Greg Copeland Alice Hausman Warren Anderson Tim Mahoney Mark Jorgensen Sheldon Johnson Roger Alton Westall John Klein Gregory W. Le May
R DFL G R DFL R DFL R DFL G R DFL G Ind. R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL Ind. R DFL R DFL R DFL R DFL G Ind. R
A F* F* A F B F D F* F* B F F* F* F* F F F* F F* F F* F A F D B F A F A F F* A F B F D F A F F* B F A F B F B F F* F* A
End of Minnesota State House candidate grades.
CCRN! -- October 2004
Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election
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Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election
CCRN! -- October 2004
Stay in touch with Concealed Carry Reform NOW! On the web: http://www.mnccrn.org/ Email list: http://www.mnccrn.org/ccrn_old/about/member_form.html Our voicemail line is (651) 636-4465 Leadership: Tim Grant at tgrant@citilink.com Policy: Professor Joe Olson at jolson@gw.hamline.edu or (651) 523-2142 News Media Professionals: John Caile at (612) 240-6080 Legal: David Gross at (952) 545-1091 or david.gross@tcq.net Our mailing address: CCRN / PO Box 131254 / St. Paul, MN 55113
Concealed Carry Reform NOW is a 100% volunteer organization. No paid staff; no-one gets paid a salary. All donations go to printing, postage, website, booth space at events, and other ways to keep you informed. Want to help lead CCRN? Show up at our regular meetings, first Tuesday of every month, 7:30PM, at the Hamline University Law School in Saint Paul. Success comes to determined people that get things done!
Concealed Carry Reform NOW! Post Office Box 131254 Saint Paul, Minnesota 55113 Issues, Candidates, and the 2004 Election