Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Much of the FOAC-ILLEA newsletter is written in “the first person”. Part of my responsibilities is to write and compile the newsletter. When other FOAC-ILLEA officers or team members contribute, there is a headline and a byline indicating the new article and author. When I post an article from another source, I link it to the source and cite where it came from. As we begin to better utilize the blogs on the website, the format of this newsletter will evolve (more on the blogs later). However, in the meantime, I will open this edition as I have done in the past with a personal story.
I JUST got back home from a family vacation.
Macro Family on one of the many stops on our road trip vacation
Jim Stoker, FOAC-ILLEA President and Bob Canova, FOAC-ILLEA Volunteer, on the road headed to a meeting to educate sportsmen about current legislation and best practices to positively influence elected officials.
While I was galivanting around the great lakes with my family, FOAC-ILLEA President, Jim Stoker and the team were tirelessly putting on seminars across the Commonwealth, educating elected officials, and keeping up with the business of FOAC-ILLEA. I on the other hand, had the opportunity to take a road trip with my family. In doing so, I traveled through states that had more AND less restrictive gun laws than those that we have in Pennsylvania.
Between license/permit reciprocity and Constitutional Carry, I was “authorized” to be legally armed in OH, MI, WI, and IN. I had to disarm and lock up my defensive firearm in Minnesota and Illinois. Did I make Minnesota and Illinois safer when I complied with the laws of those lands by disarming myself? The answer is obviously NO.
Hey, wait a minute…. Doesn’t every state issue Concealed Carry Permits these days? Heck EVEN Illinois does. Their process is much more expensive and cumbersome than what we have in PA, but it is possible to get a permit in all states (and D.C.)… keep in mind that with the Bruen Decision, ALL 50 states are now “Shall Issue” and more than half of the states are Permitless or have Constitutional Carry.
So this begs the question, WHY the hell don’t we have National Reciprocity?
Before Bruen, National Reciprocity was less doable, but WITH Bruen, “Shall Issue” is the law of the Nation. Until we have Nationwide Constitutional Carry, National reciprocity is the next “incremental” advancement of liberty we can pursue and it would be pretty simple to implement.
Keep in mind, it is my personal opinion and the opinion of FOAC-ILLEA that ANY license or permit process is an infringement upon the individual rights and liberties of citizens. However, we also know that incrementalism works. NOW is the time to push for national reciprocity. IF you have a LTCF in Pennsylvania, then Minnesota and Illinois should recognize that license.
Responsibly armed Americans should not be victimized by a patchwork quilt of laws that can make you a felon just by crossing a river or an invisible border.
FOAC-ILLEA is mainly focused on Pennsylvania State Level Legislation, however we have ALWAYS been supportive of National Reciprocity.
If you would like to contact your elected officials and urge them to support H.R. 38 Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, I recommend using this form on the USCCA-FSL website. USCCA-FSL is a “National Level” organization that is focused on federal legislation that empowers Americans to take on the responsibility to become their own family first responders. FOAC-ILLEA and USCCA-FSL have worked very well together in various capacities in the past. They are a tremendous ally in the fight for liberty!
FOAC-ILLEA is open to cooperation with other like-minded organizations. We don’t always agree with every talking point or policy of other organizations, but we do agree that when we DO agree, we are stronger together than apart!
In November of 2016, HB263 was passes and signed into law as Act 168. This legislation gave the Pennsylvania Game Commission the sole discretion to authorize air rifles and semi-auto action types for use in hunting game in the Commonwealth of PA.
The act clearly states: A semiautomatic rifle may be used to hunt game in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commission.
Prior to this Act, semi-auto firearms were, in essence, banned by statutory law from use for hunting. Shortly after Act 168 became law, PGC authorized semi-auto rimfire for use in hunting small game. It was implied by many in PGC leadership that this was to be the first part of a “soft” rollout, and eventually within a year or 2, semi auto centerfires would be added to the list of action types that could be used to harvest large game in the Commonwealth.
Here we are, almost 10 years later, and it would appear that the Commission is more interested in playing anti-gun politics, rather than follow through with their implied promise.
What is the hold up? Is it the action type or is it “the gun”?
Let us first look at the semi-auto action. The PA Game Commission has traditionally allowed semi-auto shotguns for large game in special regulation areas, such as some of the most densely populated areas of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties), as Title 34 (Game Laws) did not place any such restrictions on shotguns. In 2018, it was proposed to expand use of semi-auto shotguns for firearm deer, bear and elk seasons across the state. This was proposed in an effort to “expand hunting opportunities” within the Commonwealth.
Since the introduction of semi-auto rimfire rifles for use in hunting small game, there have been no negative changes in small game harvesting and there has not been any additional safety issues due to use of semi-autos during small game season.
Our organizations have done extensive research in the past, research that was shared with PGC, and semi-auto rifles are indeed safer than other action types. Brian Hoover made statement in a 2/1/19 PGC press release (while he was a commissioner) echoing this sentiment, “While many states allow the use of semiautomatic rifles for hunting big game, and evidence suggests these firearms actually can be safer than their manually operated counterparts..."
Even though it is very cumbersome and confusing, the PAGC does in fact authorize semi-auto firearms for a variety of hunting; however, centerfire semi-auto rifles are NOT permitted for large game. Why?
The 2023-2024 Hunter Trapper Digest states:
“Page 17 – FIREARMS AND DEVICES: Semiautomatic (autoloading) rifles, air- or gas-operated rifles and manually operated handguns may be used for hunting small game and furbearers.”
“Page 21 – BIG GAME REGULATIONS: Manually operated or semiautomatic centerfire shotguns (shotguns do not have to be plugged) that propel single projectile ammunition.”
“Page 25 – FIREARMS DEER SEASON: (authorized firearms) Semiautomatic centerfire shotguns that propel single projectile ammunition can be used while hunting deer, bears and elk.”
“Page 43 - FIREARMS FOR HUNTING SMALL GAME: Manually operated and semiautomatic 10-gauge or less shotguns with a capacity of no more than 3 shells in the chamber and magazine combined; 2) Manually operated and semi-automatic rifles and manually operated handguns 22-caliber rimfire or less.”
“Page 50 - FIREARMS FOR HUNTING FURBEARERS: Semi-automatic and manually operated rifles, manually operated handguns of any caliber, manual or semiautomatic shotguns and, bows and crossbows can be used. Muzzleloading rifles or handguns that propel single-projectile ammunition can be used. Air- or gas-operated firearms of at least 22-caliber and propel a single-projectile pellet or bullet can be used. Persons hunting coyotes, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, striped skunks, opossums and weasels may use gun-mounted lights that do not project a laser-light beam, as well as handheld and sporting-arm mounted night-vision and infrared (thermal) optics.”
Clearly, safety is not an issue with using semi-auto firearms in the Penn’s Woods or PGC would not have authorized so many variations of semi-auto firearms for hunting and fur-taking. As a matter of fact, you can use AR-15’s to hunt coyotes, so long as it is NOT a regular firearms large game season.
So why not use AR-15’s for large game?
The majority of States permit semi-auto rifles including AR-15’s for hunting in their states. Let us look at some of our bordering states:
(Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping 2023-2024) Page 16 states, “Rifles and handguns that shoot bottleneck cartridges may only be used to hunt deer during the Firearms Season and Junior Deer Hunt Days in certain counties and areas.” Page 28 states, “Deer may not be hunted with a firearm that is loaded with more than eight cartridges or shells. Magazines do not have to be physically blocked.”
(West Virginia DNR Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2023-2024) Page 5 lists the only firearm action restriction as it is prohibited to hunt with a fully automatic firearm.
(2023-2024 New York Hunting & Trapping Guide) Page 14 states, “It is illegal to take or hunt wildlife with any semi-automatic firearm with a capacity to hold more than 6 rounds, except: 1. Firearms using .22 or .17 caliber rimfire ammunition, or 2. Firearms altered to reduce their capacity to no more than 6 shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined, or 3. Autoloading pistols with a barrel length of less than 8 inches. There may also be additional County specific restrictions.”
(New Jersey Hunting and Trapping Digest 2022-2023) Page 58 – “Even New Jersey permits ‘Modern Rifles-Centerfire’ for hunting Coyotes, Foxes, and Woodchucks in certain seasons, conditions, or with certain permits.”
(Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2022-2023) Page 25 – “There are no restrictions to action type or caliber when hunting Coyotes or Feral Swine so long as it is not during ‘Deer Gun Season’.”
Each of our neighbors have potentially vastly different terrain, populations, and political climates. But even in states that have the most restrictive gun laws and most anti-gun elected officials, the AR is still able to be used for hunting. So, what is the reason PGC has not seen fit to allow the citizens of PA to use semi-auto centerfire for large game? It cannot be for legitimate safety reasons, or I am sure New York, New Jersey and Maryland would prohibit them.
The PGC will likely say it is because of the will of the PA Sportsmen. Strangely enough when this was last open to debate, in February of 2019, the PGC prematurely suspended the comment period for using center fire semi-auto rifles for big game hunting in the Commonwealth.
On 1/29/19, PGC issued a press release about potentially allowing center fire semi-auto rifles for big game hunting and welcomed comments. "Written comments can be submitted by email to pgccomments@pa.gov up until the April meeting."
https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Game-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=281
On 2/1/19, PGC released this: "After receiving input from the public and key members of the General Assembly, and noting the board already is considering several significant proposed changes, (then) Pennsylvania Game Commissioner Brian Hoover rescinded his direction to staff to develop language through which semiautomatic centerfire rifles could be included as lawful sporting arms in big-game seasons. No proposal will be drawn up, and no vote will be taken."
https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Game-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=282
Who were the "Key Members of the General Assembly" that have so much influence over the Commission that PGC would yield their authority and take away the opportunity for PA Hunters to voice their opinions on this matter? Here we are in 2023 and that question still has not been answered.
If PGC wants to sell more licenses and bring new Sportsmen and women into the woods of Pennsylvania, why would you exclude the countries #1 selling firearm, the modern sporting rifle, or AR Platform? This type of rifle, by far, outsells all others across the country and PAGC would welcome a whole new generation of law-abiding gun owners into the woods of Pennsylvania.
PGC is always very keen to welcome women and youth to join in on our proud Pennsylvania hunting tradition. The AR platform comes in a variety of calibers, recoil is much more manageable than any manually operated action type, and - with collapsible stock options - rifle fit makes it much easier for smaller-framed individuals to shoulder and deliver more precise rounds on target, ultimately resulting in a more humane harvest.
With all of these benefits; safer, more potential for license sales, more youth and more women hunters, more humane harvests, I cannot understand why the Commissioners stopped the comment process in 2019 and has not made one move towards permitting semi-auto centerfire for big game.
Whether you personally believe it is best to hunt with a bolt gun, flint lock, bow, or slug gun, the PGC has not given a reasonable explanation as to why they continue to restrict a particular gun from being used to harvest big game.
One can only conclude that PGC is continuing to play anti-gun/liberty politics. After all, it would be much harder for a Legislator or Executive to try and ban a particular type of firearm if that type of firearm can be legally used for hunting deer in Pennsylvania. Keep this in mind when the anti-gun forces say, “Hey, you don’t need it for hunting, then why do you need it at all?”
Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, Firearms Owners Against Crime-ILLEA, Beaver County Conservation and Sportsmen’s League, and Unified Sportsmen of PA strongly recommend that the Commissioners grant the use of semi-auto center fire rifles for big game hunting. This was the intended outcome when all of these organizations supported the PGC in 2016 before HB263 became law.
By Stephen LaSpina, FOAC-ILLEA Board Member
Since the Russian invasion a little over one year ago, the United States has sent over 113 billion dollars in aid to the Ukraine. A significant portion of those funds paid for a variety of weapons and ammunition.
Last year, the U.S. sent Javelin missiles to Ukraine. This portable missile system climbs into the sky to find the weakest part of its armored target. It can defeat the robust armor of military vehicles, even tanks.
Cluster bombs are the latest weapon that the Biden Administration wants to send to Ukraine. This projectile has a large munition containing many smaller munitions within, and it can be launched from the ground, air, or sea.
Of course, the U.S. has sent many other kinds of weapons, including thousands of small arms to include rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
The purpose of this column is not to debate foreign policy positions and our involvement with supplying aid to a non-NATO nation. The intent is to shine a light on the glaring hypocrisy of our own federal government.
Not long ago, in response to pushback against weapons bans, the Biden administration mockingly told Americans that they would need nuclear weapons and F-16 aircraft if we ever needed to fight against a tyrannical U.S. government.
And yet, the same Biden administration sent rifles, pistols, and shotguns (among other kinds of weapons) to the Ukrainians, who happened to be engaged in a fight with the much larger Russian military. If these weapons were so ineffectual against a larger fighting force, why send any of them at all?
You can learn a lot from how a nation interacts with other countries. You can learn even more from how it treats its own citizens.
President Biden and many others representing us in the federal government have shown a tremendous amount of fidelity to the nation of Ukraine. The amounts on the checks we’re writing leave no doubt of that. Simultaneously, many of those very same people, President Biden chief among them, look with absolute scorn upon their own citizens owning the same (or even far less potent) weapons. They rail against the AR-15, calling it a “weapon of war.” They tell us that “no one needs” one of these rifles, which are immensely popular and widely used by Americans for hunting, sporting, and self-protection. Biden to Woman: "You Don't Need an AR-15; It's Harder to Aim, It's Harder to Use' | National Review The Biden administration has even proposed banning 9mm semi-automatic pistols, one of the most commonly used types of handguns for concealed carry and personal defense.
NRA-ILA | Biden Pushes 9mm Handgun Ban, Harris Wants to Ban Common Semi-autos
The blatant hypocrisy of these would-be gun banners is clear for those with eyes to see. The disdain and scorn that they espouse for responsible citizens - not criminals, citizens - is immoral and repulsive. It is unbecoming of anyone who would represent the people of a nation founded on principles of liberty and personal freedom.
Stephen LaSpina, Klint Macro, and Rep. Dave Maloney
“The Biden Administration’s attack on our next generation of hunters and archers is a new low, and it is unclear how this move will affect the law I passed allowing public school property to be used for hunter safety courses,” Maloney said. “I remember when Joe Biden was campaigning, he stressed that while he wanted new anti-Second Amendment laws, he was not coming after sportsmen and sportswomen. We now know that was a lie.”
-PA Representative Dave Maloney
Originally released July 28, 2023, from the office of PA Rep. Dave Maloney
HARRISBURG – Lifelong hunter and fierce defender of sportsmen’s rights, Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks), chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, today condemned the Biden Administration’s withholding of funds for schools with hunting and archery programs.
Maloney authored and ushered into law Act 27 of 2020, permitting public schools in Pennsylvania to be used as venues for hunter education courses. Falling in love with Pennsylvania’s woods and waters at a young age, Maloney won a countywide school contest for hunting and trapping when he was 12. He understands early instruction on firearms and hunting results in safer behavior and respect for wildlife and forest habitat. If there is a community event or private group looking for classroom space to hold hunter safety courses, this is a free option to consider, or at least it was.
“The Biden Administration’s attack on our next generation of hunters and archers is a new low, and it is unclear how this move will affect the law I passed allowing public school property to be used for hunter safety courses,” Maloney said. “I remember when Joe Biden was campaigning, he stressed that while he wanted new anti-Second Amendment laws, he was not coming after sportsmen and sportswomen. We now know that was a lie.”
Using non-elected federal officials to “interpret” new laws, Biden’s Department of Education determined that, under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year, school hunting and archery classes can’t receive federal funding.
“Hunting in Pennsylvania with a bow or a firearm is practically a birthright,” Maloney said. “We have game animals - whitetail deer and grouse - as the state animal and bird. When opening day was on a Monday and you drove to work, the roads were so empty you’d have thought it was Sunday morning and everyone was in church. Now, we have a president openly attacking one of our most treasured outdoor pursuits.”
Maloney is an accomplished hunter with both a bow and a rifle. He has tallied both Pope & Young whitetail as well as Pennsylvania’s coveted Triple Trophy. Hunting and fishing are also important economic engines for Pennsylvania, bringing in some $1.5 billion each year.
-end-
Read more about this story by CLICKING HERE!
By Stephen LaSpina, FOAC-ILLEA Board Member
You’ve probably heard something like this before:
“I don’t want to ban any guns, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have reasonable gun control laws.”
Or:
“I’m all for the Second Amendment; but no one needs a rapid-fire assault rifle that’s basically a killing machine.”
And:
“No one wants to take your hunting rifles, but the Founding Fathers never envisioned the capability of modern weapons.”
Some variation of these common arguments are repeated over and over again, sometimes by well-meaning, albeit ignorant people. Politicians use similar language hoping to appeal to both sides of the political aisle. They attempt to sound diplomatic and measured while simultaneously asking gun owners to compromise even more of their rights away.
We presently have a massive amount of restrictions on gun ownership in our nation, as well as in the state of Pennsylvania. Firearms owners are subjected to numerous laws regarding what kinds of guns they may own, how they may purchase them, how they may transport them, where they may have them, how they can accessorize them, and much, much more. Not only do these laws fail to prevent violent criminal acts, but they are the very definition of “infringements” on a Constitutionally-protected right.
When someone says, “I’m for the Second Amendment, but…” and ends the sentence with yet another new infringement they’d like to see become reality, it’s very clear they do not understand the importance or spirit of the Second Amendment.
At the time those words were written, our Founding Fathers had just thrown off a tyrannical, abusive, and manipulative British government that had, for years, refused to give them due representation on many important issues. Ultimately, in a desperate effort to control and subdue, that same British government sent troops to seize the arms of the Colonists, which sparked the beginning of the War for Independence.
So while hunting and sporting are wonderful pursuits, neither were the driving force in motivating the writing of the Second Amendment. Our forefathers knew firsthand how governments often abuse their own citizens.
Further, it must be noted that the Second Amendment places limits on government, NOT citizens. “The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Under our Constitution, you do not need to explain why you personally want a certain kind of gun, or how many varieties of guns you want, or how many total guns you decide to own. A free people does not justify their rights to the government; they inherently possess those natural rights, and they freely exercise them. The onus is on the government to not infringe upon this right.
Responsibly-armed citizens are not problematic to a government operating within its limits. But they can be an effective roadblock to a government who would oppress or enslave them. A free people should be wary of any government attempting to disarm them of their liberty or property.
So the next time you hear someone proposing “reasonable gun control,” kindly but firmly reject their premise. You can even share with them this quote from our nation’s first President, George Washington: “A free people ought not only be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.”
Originally published in the NSSF Government Update
Philadelphia already has some of the strictest gun control laws in the state of Pennsylvania but that still isn’t good enough for Mayor Jim Kenney. The city announced it is suing three local firearm retailers it alleges are behind some of the city’s rampant criminal violence committed by criminals misusing firearms, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Tom Helenski, a co-owner of Tanner’s Sports Center, said his store works diligently to identify and turn away straw purchasers and that the business will fight the lawsuit. “Tanner’s has had one of the best records out there. We have a very vigilant staff. … We stop purchases all day every day,” he said. Helenski added, “We’ve received positive marks and have great relationships with local police departments, ATF, and the state police.”
Read more about this story by CLICKING HERE.
The Blog links are active on the FOAC-ILLEA website. Visit the website under the “News” tab and click on the blog you want to read. The blogs are:
From the Desk of the President, by Jim Stoker
From the Desk of the Vice President, by Klint Macro
Firearms and Freedom, by Stephen LaSpina
These blogs are a place where Jim, Klint and Stephen can discuss current events, training, politics, legal issues, history and heritage…. Whatever… Posts will be forthcoming….. stand by!
A gratuitous picture of Elvis with a Savage over and under
As I have said many times in the past, there is a war on our individual rights and freedoms at all levels of government. These attacks are coming from multiple fronts and some of them are very creative. The following was shared on Facebook by a colleague of mine (a firearms safety and defense trainer) about another colleague who is engaged in a legal battle in Hawaii. The post was originally published on the Hawaii Firearms Coalition Facebook page.
𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐧 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲? 𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩? 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭? 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐬𝐨.
As you may know, HIFICO and three individuals have filed a lawsuit against Maui County and The State of Hawaii, specifically targeting SB1230 (Hawaii sensitive places bill). The focus of the lawsuit is on certain provisions within the bill that are deemed blatantly unconstitutional and lacking a rational basis.
These provisions include the ban on carrying firearms in parks, beaches, restaurants, and parking lots of government buildings. Additionally, the lawsuit challenges the signage requirements for businesses that do not oppose people carrying firearms.
In response to our lawsuit (Wolford v. Lopez), The State Attorney General's office has sought the assistance of lawyers from the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy & Protection at Georgetown University Law Center. On their website, they have stated that their work on behalf of the AG is aimed at "ADDRESSING POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND UNLAWFUL PARAMILITARIES."
However, it is essential to emphasize that all our actions have been entirely lawful and in line with our rights. We have advocated for our rights using legal means, both through legislative efforts and in the courts. Unfortunately, despite our adherence to the law, some individuals still view our defense of Second Amendment rights as extremist and a potential threat to public safety.
In reality, our advocacy for the right to bear arms does not condone or promote violence or lawlessness. Responsible gun ownership is at the core of this right, and countless law-abiding citizens exercise it every day without any issues.
Yet, there are those who persist in labeling us as extremists and attempting to portray us as dangerous. These deliberate attacks against us are a way to try and sway public opinion and garner support for a losing agenda.
Hawaii has prevented the public from having a right to bear arms for more than a century and is willing to do anything in its power to keep that status quo, even if it means attacking law-abiding citizens with dangerous and baseless claims.
Why should we in Pennsylvania care about what is going on in Hawaii?
This is another example of how the anti-gun forces are attacking law abiding, responsible gun owners across the country. The gun grabbers are implying that by training with your firearm or advocating for free exercise of firearm use, you are in essence preparing to use a firearm for criminal pursuits. The Georgetown University Law Center is implying that pro-liberty groups threaten “democracy”. This kind of message is preposterous! However, if this lawsuit fails, and sets negative precedent, a war on training and on pro-liberty groups will likely occur across the nation.
Firearms Owners Against Crime ILLEA is a “pro-individual right to keep and bear arms” organization that is also vehemently against crime. When elected officials fail to hold criminals accountable by having pro-crime policies, we call those officials out. When elected officials commit a crime by breaking the laws of the land, we hold them accountable. Not all criminals use weapons to commit their crimes….. many criminals use their elected offices to violate the rights of individual Americans.
We believe that individual Americans have the right to protect themselves and those that they love without interference from the government. We base the bulk of our opinions upon the simple and clear direction of the PA and U.S. Constitutions, chiefly the 2nd Amendment and Article 1 Section 21 of the PA Constitution.
We help to arm and train our fellow Pennsylvanians so that they can protect themselves from violent criminals that break the law and harm good people, and we educate them so that they can help educate elected officials that violate the law by failing to uphold the Constitution(s).
The elephant in the room…..
The provisions in the Constitution(s) are not solely for self-protection against violent criminals. The Armed and “well-regulated” citizenry was designed to be a deterrent against invading armies and a tyrannical government. When government or pundits claims that the right to keep and bear arms is a threat to “democracy”, they are showing their ignorance OR they are showing their fear of empowered individual citizens. In some cases, if you read between the lines, you might see their actual tyrannical intent.
What does government have to fear from a responsibly armed and educated citizenry?
ANSOLUTELY NOTHING!
What does a tyrannical government have to fear from responsibly armed and educated citizenry?
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!
“What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms.”
– Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, December 20, 1787
FOAC-ILLEA presents Concealed Carry Seminars with Pro-Liberty Elected Officials, works with County Sheriffs at Satellite License to Carry Events, provides information tables at Gun Shows, and organizes for Pro-2A Rallies, gun bashes, and special events. To see the most up-to-date schedule of FOAC-ILLEA events and meetings, CLICK HERE.
Folks, FOAC-ILLEA is building a pro-gun/pro-liberty advocacy team in Philadelphia. If you are on the “east coast” of Pennsylvania and can volunteer time to help us educate elected officials and visit the occasional government building to spread the message of liberty, please let us know you would like to step up and help. EMAIL US TODAY.
Closing ThoughtsMany members have reached out to us enquiring about tickets for the Fall Gun Bash. The bi-annual FOAC-ILLEA Gun Bash is our biggest fund raiser and the best damn bash in the Commonwealth. The fall bash will be on Saturday September 30th at the Washington County Fair Grounds. We have purchased the guns for the ticket and are in the process of getting the ticket finalized and printed. We will send out a notice when we have a specific date that the tickets will be available… stand by…. They are coming Soon!
In the meantime, mark off your calendar for Saturday, September 30th and put away a couple bucks so you can purchase a ticket as soon as they are available… they will sell out fast!
Stay Frosty, Armed, and Be Well Regulated!
Klint Macro
FOAC-ILLEA VP
FOAC-ILLEA is continuing to fight for the hearts and minds of our fellow Pennsylvanians to promote individual liberties and freedoms. We are steadfast and resolute and dedicated to protecting our Constitution and advancing the cause of the 2nd Amendment and Article 1 Section 21 of the PA Constitution.
FOAC-ILLEA’s educational efforts are expanding across the Commonwealth. FOAC-ILLEA volunteers are teaching more concealed carry classes each month and additional virtual education events are forthcoming.
FOAC-ILLEA is continuing to fight in the courts. Whether this means new litigation to challenge local tyrants, fight the bureaucrats that make it harder for Pennsylvanians to exercise their most basic rights, or the funding of amicus briefs to support others who are already involved in court battles, we are actively helping to establish case law that will help advance the cause of liberty.
FOAC-ILLEA volunteers research proposed legislation, consult with experts, and offer advice to elected officials about legislation as well as educate the public on the strength or folly of legislation that could have lasting positive or negative effects upon our liberty and the liberty of our children.
I urge you to help me spread the word about FOAC-ILLEA. Share this newsletter and the website with your sphere of influence. Get a fellow gun owner to join FOAC-ILLEA.
Contact your Legislators HERE.
Read previous newsletters HERE.
The FOAC-ILLEA website is a wealth of information. Track current legislation, contact legislators and elected officials, look up gun laws, read easy to understand synopsis’ on stand your ground, castle doctrine, and legal use of force. Keep up to date with current gun related news. There is all this and more on the FOAC-ILLEA website.
Get involved!
If you have read this entire newsletter and made it here to this statement… you are already interested and vested.
Donate your time, your talents, or your treasure. VOTE pro-2A and get your friends to vote pro-2A as well. Become a member and get your friends to become a member. If you are already a member, consider “upping your membership” to a higher level. Join us at the gun bash; purchase a ticket. Volunteer to help at the bash. Volunteer to join a committee to send emails, write letters, make phone calls… NOW IS THE TIME TO DO. DON’T PUT IT OFF. “We the People” have been sitting on the sidelines too long.
An Armed and Educated Citizenry is the true check and balance in our Constitutional Republic and the ultimate homeland security!
