Someone asked me this over at Packing.org. I was suprised:
My response:
Wow. I can't believe anyone even remembered the CWFRA that I wrote. I'm glad you're interested in it. Getting anyone fired up in Florida over this has been long, hard, and rather pointless. Florida's politics make it extremely difficult. I was facing not only anti-gunners, but even our own pro-gun forces.
The biggest stumbling block to my effort has been, quite frankly, Marion Hammer. She pretty much sets the tone for gun rights issues in the state Legislature. Yes, I spoke to her, and she would not consider it because she believed that the Legislature would balk at it, and may even add restrictions to bill (this is a risk with any piece of legislation) against us.
I pleaded with her, and I reasoned with her, but it was to no avail. We had 9/11 behind us in momentum, and that, quite frankly, the media will always bleat when pro-gun measures are taken up.
If I were to take a guess, I would say that Marion Hammer and Unified Sportsmen of Florida made a few deals to keep a large majority of lawmakers pro-gun. Voting against anti-gun measures is safer and easier on politicians than it is voting FOR pro-gun measures. My guess is that there was a deal made in order to just keep further gun control from being enacted, in exchange for no more "uncomfortable pro-gun votes". Which means there is a large amount of legislators who pander to the pro-gun vote by not allowing further gun control, but would bolt and become anti-gun as soon as a hard pro-gun issue comes along, and will continue to support gun control under the guise of "I've seen the light! Guns are bad!". RINO's, basically, rule the roost here in Florida.
Basically, all the fight had gone out of the pro-gun forces down here after the hard fought victory in 1987, and no improvements have been made since. NRA and others moved elsewhere, using us as an example, some to bad effect, like in Texas, Oklahoma, Lousiana, Michigan and Mississipii.
As for my own efforts here in FL. They are unfortunately temporary. Financial hardship, lack of willingness by pro-gunners, as well as the inability to find a job in my chosen career field, has pretty much forced me to move to another state. I want to find someone to carry the torch for this bill, since I will get a Florida non-resident permit. However, I'm moving to Oregon or Washington state, and if I attend college in either states, I can carry at a college campus under state law. I would stay and fight, but when the best you can hope for down here is 8 bucks an hour as a security guard, and you get an opportunity to work for 15 bucks an hour in another state where your skills can be used to the fullest, what would you do?
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Yep, that's right, I'm moving from Florida, probably by the end of this summer. Probably Oregon or Washington State, more likely Portland, Oregon. The reasons above in the last paragraph states the reason.
I wish I could stand and fight, but I cannot. Continued stalling by Marion Hammer and USF, continued personal financial crisises that cannot be resolved until I'm working in Oregon, pro-gun forces malaise, and other stuff which I'd rather not discuss at the moment forces my move.
To be honest, I'm sick of this state. It's fast becoming California south, the cost of living is skyrocketing, and quite frankly, I'm sick of the lack of scenery. Everything is swampy, humid, hot, and the like.
I'm moving to Oregon/Washington area because I need a change of scenery, a better paying job. Oh, and if I live in Oregon, I'm joining Oregon Firearms Federation, as well, a NO COMPROMISE gun rights group, who does have their stuff together.
I do still plan to become an NRA certed instructor, will get permits from both OR and other states when I turn 21 (FL, WA, ME, NH, MA, UT, NV, and CT). It's just I'd rather have a good paying job so I can afford to have some pleasures in life than continue to live like a pauper (well, not that bad, but living with parents suck, ya know, and I want to be my own man. *shrugs*).
Anyway, I am looking for people to carry the torch in FL. Maybe someone more effective in taking it to Tallahassee than I am.....
My response:
Wow. I can't believe anyone even remembered the CWFRA that I wrote. I'm glad you're interested in it. Getting anyone fired up in Florida over this has been long, hard, and rather pointless. Florida's politics make it extremely difficult. I was facing not only anti-gunners, but even our own pro-gun forces.
The biggest stumbling block to my effort has been, quite frankly, Marion Hammer. She pretty much sets the tone for gun rights issues in the state Legislature. Yes, I spoke to her, and she would not consider it because she believed that the Legislature would balk at it, and may even add restrictions to bill (this is a risk with any piece of legislation) against us.
I pleaded with her, and I reasoned with her, but it was to no avail. We had 9/11 behind us in momentum, and that, quite frankly, the media will always bleat when pro-gun measures are taken up.
If I were to take a guess, I would say that Marion Hammer and Unified Sportsmen of Florida made a few deals to keep a large majority of lawmakers pro-gun. Voting against anti-gun measures is safer and easier on politicians than it is voting FOR pro-gun measures. My guess is that there was a deal made in order to just keep further gun control from being enacted, in exchange for no more "uncomfortable pro-gun votes". Which means there is a large amount of legislators who pander to the pro-gun vote by not allowing further gun control, but would bolt and become anti-gun as soon as a hard pro-gun issue comes along, and will continue to support gun control under the guise of "I've seen the light! Guns are bad!". RINO's, basically, rule the roost here in Florida.
Basically, all the fight had gone out of the pro-gun forces down here after the hard fought victory in 1987, and no improvements have been made since. NRA and others moved elsewhere, using us as an example, some to bad effect, like in Texas, Oklahoma, Lousiana, Michigan and Mississipii.
As for my own efforts here in FL. They are unfortunately temporary. Financial hardship, lack of willingness by pro-gunners, as well as the inability to find a job in my chosen career field, has pretty much forced me to move to another state. I want to find someone to carry the torch for this bill, since I will get a Florida non-resident permit. However, I'm moving to Oregon or Washington state, and if I attend college in either states, I can carry at a college campus under state law. I would stay and fight, but when the best you can hope for down here is 8 bucks an hour as a security guard, and you get an opportunity to work for 15 bucks an hour in another state where your skills can be used to the fullest, what would you do?
------------
Yep, that's right, I'm moving from Florida, probably by the end of this summer. Probably Oregon or Washington State, more likely Portland, Oregon. The reasons above in the last paragraph states the reason.
I wish I could stand and fight, but I cannot. Continued stalling by Marion Hammer and USF, continued personal financial crisises that cannot be resolved until I'm working in Oregon, pro-gun forces malaise, and other stuff which I'd rather not discuss at the moment forces my move.
To be honest, I'm sick of this state. It's fast becoming California south, the cost of living is skyrocketing, and quite frankly, I'm sick of the lack of scenery. Everything is swampy, humid, hot, and the like.
I'm moving to Oregon/Washington area because I need a change of scenery, a better paying job. Oh, and if I live in Oregon, I'm joining Oregon Firearms Federation, as well, a NO COMPROMISE gun rights group, who does have their stuff together.
I do still plan to become an NRA certed instructor, will get permits from both OR and other states when I turn 21 (FL, WA, ME, NH, MA, UT, NV, and CT). It's just I'd rather have a good paying job so I can afford to have some pleasures in life than continue to live like a pauper (well, not that bad, but living with parents suck, ya know, and I want to be my own man. *shrugs*).
Anyway, I am looking for people to carry the torch in FL. Maybe someone more effective in taking it to Tallahassee than I am.....
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