CSSA the firearms community is in dire need of leadership

[R. LaCasse]

"the firearms community is in dire need of leadership"

Has there ever been a statement more true???


CANADIAN SHOOTING SPORTS ASSOCIATION / CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE
ACTION

TEAM CSSA E-NEWS - January 10, 2013

** Please share this E-news with your friends **

COMMENTARY: It's time for gun owners to use their collective influence
– be pro-active!

In the words of the great Bob Dylan, “A hard rain's gonna fall.�

He could have been describing what lies ahead for responsible firearms
owners in 2013. Even a cursory glance at any Canadian gun owners’ blog
shows a lack of cohesion among responsible gun owners. That lack of cohesio
n is too easily interpreted as a lack of credibility in the eyes of the anti-gun
crowd.

Witness the hunters who criticize sport shooters for owning black rifles. Or the
recreational shooters who make headlines for turning over their guns
to police out of misplaced guilt. Or the impatient, self-appointed political
strategists who constantly taunt all government parties with lack of support.
Perhaps there is one thing we can all agree on -- the firearms community is in
dire need of leadership.

The Sandy Hook shooting has cast the world into disarray. It is a violent c
ulmination that has set the stage for “gun control� advocates everywhere.
The clear thinking of the Canadian majority that scrapped the gun registry last
year is destined to stand as an international gold standard, even as foreign
governments threaten to impose their own gun registries to appease the
hysterical anti-gun masses.

And the widespread pressure to take gun rights away from responsible gun owners
will not stop at our borders. Canada has already proved it is a world leader in
returning to common sense firearms legislation. But, we must prepare to stave
off the indignant gun-grabbers who don’t know the difference between a handgun
and a torque wrench. The need for public and media relations has never been
greater – and here’s how gun owners can help.

Join a pro-active firearms advocacy association. There, we said it. Do rest
assured that the Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA) has historica
lly refused to exploit responsible firearms owners with a push of the panic
button. We do, however, strongly believe that if you want to explain to the
public why you support gun ownership, you owe it to yourself to join a
firearms advocacy association. If you are a hunter, target shooter,
collector, trapper, farmer, retailer or wholesaler, you need to let others know
that you are engaged in an honourable heritage activity. The best way to be
heard is by adding your voice to those who ride with you.

Fewer than one percent of Canadian firearms owners belong to a shooting sports
association. Imagine how loud that collective voice could be if that percentage
approached 10, 20 or 30 percent. Every political party would listen intently
to our position and we would have more influence in the decisions made in our
country. The only thing standing in your way is you.

Some firearms owners are sceptical of joining an association and challenge
us by asking if we really do anything on their behalf. We ask those gun
enthusiasts to consider the following:

CSSA has undertaken large upgrades to our communications system to make
communications with our members easier and more reliable

CSSA fielded and operated the target shooting team at the Ontario Summer Games

We opened a Ottawa Communications Office

Introduced our weekly CSSA Team E-News to provide current, accurate information
to our members. Tens of thousands of people have subscribed!

Provided expert advice to government for Private Members ' Bill C-391 and
subsequent Bill C-19 that would eventually eliminate the federal long-gun
registry

CSSA provided testimony at the House of Commons regarding Bill C-19. We were the
only shooting organization invited to do so

CSSA provided testimony at the Senate of Canada regarding Bill C-19. We were the
only shooting organization invited to do so

CSSA sits on the Board of Directors for the Outdoors Caucus Association of
Canada

CSSA is the only firearms organization appointed to the new Parliamentary
Hunting and Fishing Advisory Committee

Four positions on the Public Safety Minister’s Firearms Advisory Board are
held by CSSA affiliates

We produced several op-eds for various newspapers calling into question the
ethics of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

We ran full-page newspaper and targeted radio advertisements re: Bill C-19

We published countless letters to the editor and backgrounders to educate the
media and public on the folly of gun control

We provided significant input to journalists for continual pro-gun coverage

We have on-going liaison with M.P.s, Senators and the Prime Minister 's Office

We publicized the history of Quebec Premier Jean Charest 's former support
to scrap the registry when he was leader of the federal Progressive Conservative
Party

We have represented firearms owners at the United Nations for over a decade

We played a pivotal role in the U.S. Senate announcement that it will not s
ign any international Arms Trade Treaty document that includes civilian firearms

We worked extensively with the government of Canada on Canada 's position on the
Arms Trade Treaty and the United Nations Programme of Action

We entered into a new contractual agreement with the Canadian Sporting Arms
and Ammunition Association to ensure a strong, vibrant industry association

We provide on-going full-page advertisements in the Canadian Access to Fire
arms newspaper

CSSA has performed hundreds of media interviews in the last two years to take
our members’ message to the Canadian public

CSSA/CSAAA partnered with the Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada to introduce
the first Member of Parliament Shooting Day at the Stittsville Shooting Range in
2012

We provide information outreach at myriad trade and gun shows throughout Canada

Tony Bernardo addressed the Senate of Canada re: gun registry on March 29,
2012

CSSA’s legislative actions forced the Chief Firearms Officer of Canada to
abandon their back door registry attempt through the use of business
ledgers -- firearms owners are no longer forced to have their personal
information recorded at point of sale for use by police

President Steve Torino and Tony Bernardo addressed the Standing Senate Committee
on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on June 21, 2012

Youth sport shooters were stripped of Ontario Summer Games honours â€
“ CSSA media blitz gets them reinstated on July 22, 2012

Great Canadian Gun Registry Shuffle garners huge media response on August 3
0, 2012. -- tens of thousands of legal firearms have been shuffled so far to
prove registry data is useless

Shaw Media shows anti-gun bias by taking hunting shows off Global TV -- CSSA
organizes and spearheads anti-Shaw protest on September 5, 2012

CSSA is an official sponsor for non-partisan Outdoors Day with M.P.s on
September 23, 2012

CSSA action prompts Toronto City Council to abandon initiatives to prohibit
the sales of ammunition and the possession of legal handguns in the city of
Toronto

CSSA action successfully prevents another similar initiative in the city of
Ottawa

CSSA continues to work on a large number of legislative and legal issues


Now we ask all responsible gun owners to pose this question to themselves:
Could you have done all these things without us? If your answer is no, please
join the CSSA or make a contribution now. And please share this informat
ion with your friends and family.


Here 's what others have to say about the CSSA

“The CSSA has a great reputation for advocating the preservation of
Canada 's heritage activities. This association has dedicated people who
work very hard behind the political scenes to make sure Canadians can stay
involved in the shooting sports. If you are a hunter, farmer, trapper or target
shooter, you owe it to yourself to buy a CSSA membership.�
Bob Izumi
Izumi Outdoors Inc., Real Fishing Show

“Every hunter and sport shooter in Canada owes a debt to the tireless advocacy
efforts of CSSA. They are professional, factual, effective â €“and most
importantly respected in the halls of power. As a valued member of the Outdoor
Caucus Association of Canada, CSSA plays a key role in advancing the
sportsmen’s agenda with Parliament.�
Phil Morlock, Chair, Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada
Director, Environmental Affairs, Shimano American Corp. / Shimano Canada Ltd.
Chair, Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada

“I strongly encourage all firearms owners, at the earliest opportunity, to
join and support the CSSA and become part of this progressive firearms
community in Canada . . . the CSSA/CILA. For professionalism, credibility,
activism, and just plain hard work on behalf of their members, the CSSA is the
undeniable choice for Canadians fighting to preserve and enhance their right to
own and use firearms.�
Garry Breitkreuz, M.P.
(Yorkton-Melville)

“The CSSA has played a major role in changing the onerous firearms
legislation in Canada. After my nationwide survey concluded that 92% of
front-line police officers wanted to see the gun registry scrapped, the CSSA
helped to make that message public. The CSSA has important federal government
contacts that can help responsible firearms owners get a fair shake that’s
long-overdue.�
Constable Randy Kuntz
Edmonton Police Services

“It is amazing what you’ve been able to accomplish in the few short years
since CSSA took its present form. You are an inspiration to gun owners
internationally and I congratulate you. There is no more respected
representative from Canada at the World Forum than Tony Bernardo. His knowledge,
his ability to work with others, and his leadership skills in defending firearms
freedom are well recognized in the international community.
It’s up to each and every one of you to get your gun-owning friends
and hunting buddies to join CSSA.�
Sandra Froman
Past President,
National Rifle Association

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COMING SOON: "Stick to your Guns" Fundraising Dinner CALGARY. March 29, 2013
at the Blackfoot Inn. Be there!
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THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

The CSSA is the voice of the sport shooter and firearms enthusiast in Canada.
Our national membership supports and promotes Canada 's firearms heritage,
traditional target shooting competition, modern action shooting sports, hunting,
and archery. We support and sponsor competitions and youth programs that promote
these Canadian heritage activities.

To join or donate to the CSSA, visit: http://www.cdnshootingsports.org/mem
bership.html
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CANADIAN SHOOTING SPORTS ASSOCIATION / CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
116 Galaxy Blvd, Etobicoke ON M9W 4Y6
Phone 416-679-9959, Fax: 416-679-9910
Toll Free: 1-888-873-4339
E-Mail: in...@cdnshootingsports.org
Website www.cdnshootingsports.org

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