Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
I declare every month of the year as “American” month.
Every day of every month of the year, we should celebrate our citizenship and citizenry.
I have discussed in past editions of the FOAC-ILLEA Newsletter that the media, society, the propaganda department of the more tyrannical elements of the government want us to celebrate what divides us… not what unites us. We are being conditioned to deny our American-ness by reducing ourselves to identifying as hyphens and letters. Many who celebrate hyphen and letter designations, may take offense to my statement. They may accuse me of being disrespectful to THEM. Not at all. First and foremost, WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.
Enough said!
Ironically, when I searched “Americans” using my normal search engine and clicked on “images” to find a picture to include in the beginning of this article, the majority of the images were NOT red, white, and blue…. They were like this:
Isn’t it Ironic…. Don’t you think? I know it is a popular TV show, but what an interesting commentary on our “American image” in 2023 when the search engine displays a Soviet emblem when I search for "Americans"…… maybe I’ll delve into this deeper in another newsletter edition.
OK… back to the hyphens….
Hyphens are a good way to categorize people so that “The Dividers” can put us into a “box”. Many gun owning-Americans are being segregated and treated as second-class citizens by politicians, the media, and certain legislation.
Law-abiding gun owners are separated from non-gun owners AND non-law-abiding gun users (criminals). Mandatory training, mandatory storage laws, red flag laws, gun bans, and universal background checks only apply to those that are gun owning-Americans EVEN though EVERY American has the right to keep and bear arms. Even the anti-gun Americans.
Recently, a fellow pro-gun / pro-liberty advocate (whom I GREATLY respect and admire) suggested to me that I should stop using the term “law-abiding” when referring to gun owners. The reason for their suggestion was that as the government continues to pass laws that are unconstitutional, it may be reasonable and prudent to ignore laws that are clear infringements of our civil liberties. This IS a valid view point.
The term “law-abiding gun owner” is often used by those in pro-gun advocacy circles in the context of explaining how non-law-abiding criminals pay ZERO attention to laws and therefore these anti-gun laws will only affect those law-abiding gun owners who already do NOT break the law. These folks are law-abiding. This logic is to show elected officials that "common-sense" gun laws are actually gun-control freedom-suppression measures imposed by the elected-class. If a piece of proposed legislation or a law does nothing to curb criminal behavior and it only effects those who obey the law, then it is worthless in the pursuit of safety and is toxic in the context of Liberty.
When laws have become toxic to the freedom of those that would otherwise solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, (Mayflower Compact) then we must heed the wisdom of Chief Justice Marshall.
“A Law repugnant to the Constitution is void.”
-Chief Justice John Marshall, 1803-Marbury v Madison
I would submit that in cases where laws violate the basic civil rights of all Americans, then we have an obligation as Americans. This duty is outlined in our country’s founding document, and we should heed the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security… (Declaration of Independence)
There SHOULD be a new American rebellion each election cycle.
How can “the battle of the ballot box” occur, if Americans do not identify as Americans? Especially when so many Americans don’t vote as they identify as disenfranchised-Americans? They believe that their vote does not count.
Your vote can’t count if it ain’t cast!
That is WHY the elected-class delights in watching the citizenry quibbling amongst itself, with no cohesive national “image” or common American-ness…. Then "The People" can’t pay attention to what the tyrants are doing and hold them accountable.
You are being played like a fiddle if you buy into the hyphens and letters.
The bottom line is this; if you are a purple-dog-loving-LGBQT-Irish-Italian-pigmy-lactose-intolerant-agnostic-America….. then you are American, and FOAC-ILLEA will fight to protect your individual rights and liberties whether you exercise them or not. We expect the same from you as well.
It is that simple.
When “We The People” stand together, UNITED as Americans FIRST, then the tyrannical elements of the elected-class cannot pull the wool over our eyes and cheat us AND OUR CHILDREN out of our rights and liberties!
Smarten up! Put aside our petty differences and stand together as Americans! Forget the hyphens! The only “letters” we should be concerned with should be U, S, and A.
Monday June 12th, 2023, PA State Capitol in Harrisburg
The leadership of multiple Pennsylvania organizations have joined forces to promote specific pro-Liberty and pro-sportsman issues, legislation, and initiatives. Together we have far more power and influence than apart.
The first such venture is a call to action for Pennsylvanians to join us in Harrisburg, PA on Monday June 12th, 2023, for the annual 2A Rally at the PA Capitol.
It is very important for Pennsylvania gun owners and sportsmen to show our faces and make our voices heard in Harrisburg and support the elected officials who are fighting to uphold the 2nd Amendment and Article 1 Section 21 of the PA Constitution.
Rep. Abby Major, chair of the House 2A Caucus, and Sen. Chris Dush, chair of the newly formed Senate 2A Caucus are hosting this year's rally.
In years past, the halls of the capitol were filled with men and women who all celebrated their free exercise of their right to keep and bear arms, however in most recent years, the number of gun owners in attendance has waned.
NOW is the time to show our numbers in Harrisburg. There is thin anti-2A majority in the PA House and they are emboldened to push their gun control agenda.
Ultimately, family first responders, concealed carriers, competitors, hunters, and sportsmen are ALL subject to the whims and attacks of anti-gun legislation. We must unite and show our dedication and resolve.
The rally starts at 11AM, however, it is recommended that you arrive at 10AM. If you are planning on entering the Capitol, you will need to check your firearms at the Capitol Police office at the rear of the facility.
By Jim Stoker, President of FOAC-ILLEA
Last week, we saw four anti-Constitution bills breach the floor of the House for third consideration for the first time in years. We saw a contentious vote and an outcry from our pro-Constitution brothers and sisters calling for the heads of several of our allies or denouncing them as “RINO” and similar disparaging terms. But what was really going on? I’m hoping everyone in conservative land in Pennsylvania takes time to read this and come to understand there are forces at work in politics that aren’t always readily apparent to those on the outside looking in…
The anti-liberty crowd is playing politics and playing for keeps. This tactic is nothing new, and it’s certainly used by both sides when the time is right, but right now, the anti-Liberty crown holds the gavel in the PA House of Representatives and they’re trying to make sure it stays that way for a while.
You see, the anti-Constitutional bills that crossed the floor (338, 714, 731 and 1018) all had one thing in common… everyone knew they would never become law. The anti-Constitution crowd who wrote them knew it. The pro-Constitution crowd fighting to stop them knew it. The Democrats (including the one pro-Constitution Representative Frank Burns) and Republicans knew it. Your leadership here at FOAC-ILLEA knew it. Everybody who’s in the game in the capitol knew it. The PA. Senate won’t allow it. They’re dead or dying as we speak.
So why do it?
Why all the media and all the hype from “ceasefire” and “moms” and all the other fascist sacrifice liberty for feelings of safety that do nothing to stop violence useful idiots? ELECTIONS. That is the SOLE reason you saw these bills drafted. The authors knew they’d go nowhere, but they serve a purpose, and unfortunately, there are “useful idiots” on our side as well leading organizations that do nothing but profit from adversity labeling some of our allies as RINO and the like because of the votes that took place.
Do we wish every pro-Constitution representative could vote NO on every single anti-Constitution bill that comes out of committee? Absolutely, but the reality is that some of them are in very balanced districts that they’re holding onto their seats by a thread. In some cases, less than 100 votes! Now ask yourself this… how many of the average laypersons out there understand why universal background checks are a bad thing? How many have you found yourself trying to educate that just don’t get it? Now ask yourself, do they vote? Yes, they do. And if they’re not grasping that these bills are a bad thing, which way do you think they’re voting if our pro-Constitution reps vote against them?
The anti-Constitution crowd pushed these bills to force pro-Constitution representatives to vote. They vote NO they lose up to 86% of the voters in their districts and get bounced come election time. They vote YES and they lose the hard-liners amongst us, the conservative base who recognize these bills as unconstitutional. And so, the anti’s win either way… either way a pro-Constitution representative loses support in their district and guess who has a much better chance of taking over?
Now ask yourself… can we afford to lose seats in the House we’ve already lost majority in to stand against a bill that we know is already dead once it clears the House? This is the decision these representatives must make. And understand the side with the most reps controls the committees where these bills would go to die if a pro-Constitution majority existed, as it had for well over a decade.
Now look at HB338, mandatory reporting of lost or stolen. The pro-Constitution reps defeated it (101 – 100) to make a statement, and in turn, sent a strong enough message to the anti’s that their mandatory storage bills (HB731) was dead in the water as well so they didn’t even run it. We took a 2-2 split that day in Harrisburg and accepted that it was a victory considering the anti’s having the majority in the House at the time. Those reps took a big chance making that statement. We don’t cheer the vote supporting these bills, make no mistake. But we must consider the war upon us, not just the battle of May 22nd.
We need to take this tactic and turn it against them. We need to go to the anti-Constitution representatives in conservative districts and turn the tide. They weren’t any happier with having to make this vote, and we WILL use it against them for certain. We will go after the reps where the Constitution still matters and point out their votes to their constituents to oust them next election. Some of you sit back and say, “from my cold dead hands”, well guess what? The battle has begun, and it starts at the polls. Let’s see what kind of leader YOU are, and what YOU can do for the battleground that is Pennsylvania. Are you with us in this fight? Or waiting for someone else to do it… still?
June 12th is almost here. Rally in Harrisburg and make your statement.
Top Left: Jim Stoker and Dave Conte (NRA) at the Freedom Fest at Legion Arms, West Mifflin, PA
Top Right: Jim Stoker presenting a PA Gun Law Seminar at Langhorne Rod and Gun Club, Holland, PA
Bottom Left: FOAC-ILLEA Volunteers, Harry Sills, Bob Canova, Kevin Jackson, Mike Douds, Jim Stoker, and Klint Macro at the PA State Capitol, Harrisburg, PA
Bottom Right: Jim Stoker and Klint Macro in the PA House Gallery, Harrisburg, PA
George Silowash wrote ANOTHER fantastic letter to the editor.
The Harrisburg 2A Rally is not about any one organization or about any one elected official… it is about preserving the right to keep and bear arms!
I am very pleased that the U.S. Concealed Carry Association For Saving Lives was willing to send out an email blast to their Pennsylvania subscribers and members in an effort to broaden awareness and participation in the rally and they did not request one single cent! There was not even a link to their website on the transmission!
Unfortunately, many “national” organizations use state level events and crisis’ as a means to raise money and then do nothing productive at the state level, in many cases they do damage.
This was a tremendously selfless thing for USCCA-FSL to do….
I am very proud of the relationships and co-operation FOAC-ILLEA has been able to garner with other organizations “for the good of the cause”!
Recently, an article I wrote for Personal Defense Network a few years ago popped up in my email. This article talks about ways one might consider teaching their children about firearms, safety, and defensive concepts.
“Education NOT isolation” is the mantra of the new USCCA Children’s Firearm & Safety Fundamentals book by Beth Alcazar.
A parent must gauge their children’s maturity and as soon as they show an interest in firearms. Parents should consider helping their children become “well regulated” so that they too can exercise their rights responsibly when it is their time!
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE ON PERSONAL DEFENSE NETWORK.
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.
LOAD UP YOUR CAR AND JOIN US IN HARRISBURG ON MONDAY JUNE 12th! Take the day off work and bring your family. We need to show that gun owners in Pennsylvania care about the 2nd Amendment and Article 1 Section 21 of the PA Constitution. I will be there… Jim Stoker will be there… we hope to see you there too!
This last week, I taught a class in Massachusetts and then over the weekend, back in Pennsylvania, I hosted one of my mentors, Rob Pincus, and took 2 one day classes as a student.
As an instructor and “trainer of trainers”, I spend a LOT of time in the classroom and a LOT of time on the range, but I don’t get a lot of opportunity to be the student and work on my own personal skill development.
On of FOAC-ILLEA’s core missions is education.
Your education should not ONLY be about the gun. How often do you review defensive concepts, work on awareness skills, learn about the law? Do you know how to exercise avoidance and de-escalation techniques? How often do you practice what to say to police if you use a gun to defend yourself? Do you know what to say to give police information to do their job without saying something that will get you into legal hot water? Do you know how certain laws protect you and how others make you more vulnerable as a gun owner? Do you know how to select an appropriate pistol and carry it efficiently? Do you know how to advocate for your rights? How often are you “the student”? How often do you drill on ALL of these things to be better “well regulated”?
Make it a point to attend a FOAC-ILLEA PA Legal Seminar this summer. Also, attend a safety or defensive class with a skilled instructor.
FOAC-ILLEA Gun Law Seminars CLICK HERE
Basic Firearm Safety Classes CLICK HERE
USCCA Defensive Firearm Training Classes CLICK HERE
PDN Training Tour Live Fire Defensive Courses CLICK HERE
I always enjoyed this picture. It makes me chuckle.
I would give photo credit to the photographer, but I am not sure who took it. I found it on a website for a Pennsylvania news agency YEARS AGO. This was from the 2016 or 2017 rally, I am not sure. It was on the steps in the rotunda at the Capitol. I am the guy behind the girl behind the guy behind the guy behind the guy behind the guy. I am a little blurry, unfocused, and exhibiting “grumpy face”.
I remember at the time how I felt betrayed by our federal government and was steadfast and resolute. I decided to dedicate MORE of my time effort and energy to help defeat tyrants within our government.
Be careful what you wish for!
Here we are in 2023 and the fight is even more daunting.
I hope to see all of you at the rally a week from today and see more than one of you in the crowd (with or without grumpy face). Show you are willing to step up and offer your time and talent to the cause of liberty! Let us work together to leave this country better than we found it!
Stay Frosty… Armed and Be Well Regulated!
Yours In Liberty,
Klint Macro
FOAC-ILLEA 1st 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!