CANADIAN SHOOTING SPORTS ASSOCIATION / CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
TEAM CSSA E-NEWS - January 10, 2013
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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 cohesion 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 culmination 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 historically 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 sign 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 Firearms 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 – CSSA media blitz gets them reinstated on July 22, 2012
Great Canadian Gun Registry Shuffle garners huge media response on August 30, 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 information 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 – 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.
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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
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