15 Million is a Big Number

We ran into this article yesterday and were impressed by multiple things: the concept of a book that looks into the prevalence of guns in the hands of strong, able women; the artistic approach documenting women and their guns; the recognition that firearm safety is a major part of the passion; and numerous other things.  


The article brings to light that "based on polling research and gun-sale statistics, an estimated 15 million to 20 million women in the United States own their own firearms", and thus discusses a book written by photographer Lindsay McCrum, who stays away from the politics and controversy of the topic.  She approaches the issue from a curious perspective and seems to honor the different passions of the women she interviewed and photographed, by commemorating their reasons for having and loving guns.


My favorite picture (mind you, I only read the article so I'm sure there are many more fabulous pictures to be mentioned) is this one: 

  This photograph of Alexandra Knight with her son, Truett, appears in the book “Chicks with Guns.” “I’m so eager to teach my boys everything I know,” the Houston mom writes in the book. “Knowing that one day they will be teaching their boys or girls the same thing with the same gun makes me smile.”

It might be a neat idea for a coffee table book!

Sam on the News

We find it exciting that the news calls our own Executive Director when they are looking for comments on issues regarding the Second Amendment!  Yesterday, in a matter of 10 minutes, Sam Paredes had 2 news stations schedule interviews with him ... both to be filmed in our office.  Sam is no stranger to the news stations, hence, both reporters called and asked for him directly.  Whether he is on the local (or state) news or radio stations throughout the state, it's always exciting to see someone you know so eloquently inform the public of what is actually happening in the world of guns ... well, depending on the soundbites the stations chooses to use.

Anyways, in case you missed them:

http://www.kcra.com/video/29335117/detail.html

http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-feds-no-guns-for-medical-marijuana-users-20110928,0,7005278.story

Disclaimer: For the record, GOC is in no way supporting or taking a position on medical marijuana 

hate mail

Here in the GOC office, we are all aware of the high level of controversy that is brought about by the mere subject, and purpose, of our business.  We do it because we believe in it; and most of the time, we get to engage with fellow believers in the Second Amendment.  The phone calls and letters we get are oftentimes born out of frustration, defeat, and all too often lost hope.  It's difficult when it feels like you are always losing; we know!  However, when we get those phone calls, we have the opportunity to encourage our members and remind them of all the successes we have had!  It's a chance for us to motivate their action and strengthen their passion for the cause ... and that is something that we have to keep doing, because hope is not lost!  (It's an ongoing fight that we must NOT give up on!)

Now occasionally, we encounter the opposite types of communication.  The type that comes from the disgruntled left; the people that are angry that we exist.  It can be infuriating!  But I think the best way to look at it, is as entertainment.  Their pure anger, criticism, judgement, and malicious accusations of our morality are really quite extravagant.  I mean, don't we live in a world where we must be "tolerant" (to use a liberal buzz word)?  Oh, ya ... I forgot.  We are supposed to be tolerant of them ... not the other way around.  How could I forget? (note my sarcasm)

Check out this letter we got today (all the way from ENGLAND!).  I will consider this one for the record book ... we are frustrating the liberals in England, which means, our impact must be bigger than we thought!!  (to zoom in on the image: click on the image, then right click on the pop-up image - click "open image in new window/tab - then zoom in, via the settings/tools on your browser, on the new tab until you can read it better!)

Wrapping Up Session

Sorry about the temporary hiatus!  August and September were/have been busy with the last fundraising banquet of the year and the end of the legislative session.  For info on the bills that passed the predominately anti-gun legislature, check out our article here.  The governor currently has 4 bills on his desk and we are waiting to hear his decision (please veto, please veto, please veto!)  We are still encouraging gun owners to call and write letters to Governor Brown to ask him to VETO all the gun bills ... check out the article mentioned above for his contact info.

We can't give up hope yet!!!

A Day at the Capitol with Sam

It's not always work and no play....almost, but not today.  And sometimes, play mixes with work in a remarkable way, like today.

Sam met up with Tracy and Logan Northam and Allen Jernigan, all from Oroville, this morning, to begin a day long experience in the Sacramento State Capitol building.

Meeting at 9:00 in the morning in room 4202, the Northams and Allen are getting to see what takes place in one of the steps for a piece of legislation.  This location is where the Assembly Appropriations Committee meets and ponders bills, the two of interest to GOC being the de Leon ammunition bill (SB 124) and the CCW bill (610) by Senator Wright.  Both of these bills originated in the Senate, and this is the last committee that will consider them.  Should they pass, and most likely they will, the measures will then go directly to the Assembly floor for a whole house vote. If the Committee allows, Sam will testify in hearty opposition to SB 124.

The men from Oroville are in Senator Doug LaMalfa's district.  The Senator will join them for lunch at the Pyramid Restaurant across the street from the Capitol.  After lunch, there is a VIP tour of the Capitol set up by the gracious staff of the Senator.  This hour long saunter through the Capitol building is full of history and tidbits of information that one long remembers afterward.

Along with these planned events of the day, Sam will also include introductions and visits to other legislative offices, and legislators.  It is most interesting, and rewarding.  The State Capitol is beautiful as are the grounds around it.  It teams with earnest workers, the public and tourists, and carries the feeling that this is where one should be to see and become part of the direction and progress of the entire process designed to benefit every citizen.

This special day for Tracy, Logan and Allen  was won by them as top bidder in an auction at GOC's annual Dinner  and Raffle in Oroville, California, last June.  Next week on Wednesday the 24th, Sam will be spending the day with Gene Accito and Kelly Hassian from Yuba City.  They are the highest bidders from the Yuba City Dinner and Raffle earlier in the year.

Fighting Gnomes

I bet these armed garden gnomes will do their job at protecting your yard from pests and critters alike!

In fact, I hope they fight off more than just garden pests!

This was a fun article to find, in the midst of our busy week since the legislature came back! 

Gnomes with guns take garden pest control up a notch 

Paws in the air or we'll shoot... that's the mission these platoon of gun-toting, garden-protecting gnomes have been given by their creator, former US Naval reserve officer Shawn Thorsson.

Known as the 'combat garden gnomes', these favourite back-garden ornaments have been given a total overhaul that has turned them into a lean green fighting machine. 

Foxes, rats, squirrels and other outdoor pests are in the cross-hairs of hand painted AK-47s - and you can be sure they're not afraid to use them. 

The idea to create the unit was formulated when Mr Thorsson was serving in Afghanistan and received a joke present of toy army men. 

'Someone sent me a package of those cheap plastic green army men as a gag,' explained the 34-year-old from Petaluma, California.

'I did some searching online and found that there were no blue plastic sailors. I felt unrepresented so I sent away for some materials and spent a couple of nights sculpting out little sailors.

'Some months later I was out at sea on a container ship and had a lot more down time.

'I was mulling over what else I could do with little green plastic army men. I was also thinking of sculpting out some comical garden gnomes.

'It didn't take long before these two ideas merged and I started sketching out Combat Garden Gnomes.'

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/872437-gnomes-with-guns-take-garden-pest-control-up-a-notch#ixzz1VEVR9Ygs

Read more ...

i disagree assemblyman, i disagree

In-N-Out Shooting Victim Helping Troops Prepare For Iraq

Martin Hanna Shot At El Cajon Restaurant By Dejon White, According To Police

POSTED: 6:38 pm PDT August 8, 2011

UPDATED: 2:39 pm PDT August 9, 2011

SAN DIEGO -- 10News learned the man shot at an El Cajon fast food restaurant on Saturday was helping local troops prepare for work overseas.Martin Hanna has been at Sharp Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family just two days after police said he was shot at close range by 23-year-old Dejon White.Authorities said Hanna was inside his car at the In-N-Out Burger on North Magnolia Avenue when he was shot.

continue reading ...


AND ...

2 Men Rob Ramona Taco Shop At Gunpoint

Los Rancheros Taco Shop At 1847 Main St. Robbed Early Friday

POSTED: 6:47 am PDT August 12, 2011

RAMONA, Calif. -- Two men robbed a Ramona taco shop at gunpoint early Friday but no one was hurt, a sheriff's lieutenant said.
The robbers hit Los Rancheros Taco Shop at 1847 Main St. around 1:45 a.m., said San Diego County sheriff's Lt. Jim Walker.
They got away with cash, he said without elaboration.

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