The Connecticut Citizens Defense League is a non-partisan, grassroots organization devoted to advocating rights affirmed by the Constitutions of the United States of America and the State of Connecticut. We are especially dedicated to protecting the unalienable right of all citizens to keep and bear arms, for the defense of both self and state, through public enlightenment and legislative action.
We welcome anyone who believes that the defense of our constitutional rights is critical to the longevity of our freedom and to the success of this nation, and in particular that the rights to self defense and to keep and bear the arms to actualize that defense, are fundamental and undeniable.
The CCDL's First Anniversary Dinner and Second Amendment March fundraiser was a resounding success. With the donations, raffle tickets, and merchandise sales taken in during the dinner, the CCDL was able to donate $1000 to the Second Amendment March. Good food and music, courtesy of DJ Mike B., made for a very enjoyable time. Candidates for legislative office from around the state showed up to show their support. Thanks to Hans Justus for donating the facilities of the Wolcott Landowners Protective Association for our dinner. Thanks also goes out to all that attended and all of our guest speakers for showing up to support CCDL and vowing to support the Second Amendment in their bids for various elected positions in the state.
Speakers, Candidates and Legislators: Steve Loban, CCDL, LAC was the Master of Ceremonies Hans Justus, President of the Wolcott Landowners Protective Association Scott Wilson, President of CCDL Chad Thompson seeking State Rep (20th) West Hartford Kathryn Brown seeking State Rep (89th) Bethany Joe Markley (former State Senator running again) seeking State Senator in (Senate-16th) Wolcott Rob Merkle, seeking US Congress 4th District (Greater Fairfield) Peggy Rogers seeking US Congres 3rd District (Greater New Haven) against ANTI GUN incumbent Rosa DeLauro! State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas from Naugatuck, District 70 who has fought for us on the Public Safety & Security Commitee. Attorney Craig Fishbein -not a candidate - spoke in regards to the 2A. Craig is the attorney who helped save Blue Trail Range.
Remember to please support all of these PRO-2A candidates at the polls!
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McDonald v. Chicago Oral Arguments Heard
Last Tuesday marked yet another step in the long road to securing our 2nd Amendment rights. About 10:15 AM on March 2nd, Attorney Alan Gura began his oral arguments in the McDonald v. City of Chicago gun case. The McDonald case is an extension of the 2008 landmark gun case Heller v. District of Columbia case in which the Supreme Court decided thatthe 2nd Amendment guarantees the individual right to arms unconnected with any involvement in a militia. The McDonald case seeks to incorporate this right against state and local governments.Now that the arguments are over, things are looking very good forincorporation. While Gura was attacked by the Justices for his argument that the 2nd Amendment should be incorporated under the “Privileges or Immunities” clause of the 14th Amendment, the majority of Justices seemed more than accepting of incorporating under the “Due Process” clause. The Supreme Court has until the end of this session to decide the case. With it being such a hotly debated issue, it's very likely we won't see a decision released until June of this year.
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New Speaker for the Second Amendment March
Miss Connecticut 2006 and new CCDL member Heidi Voight has agreed to be a speaker at the Second Amendment March on Hartford. This brings the total confirmed speaker count to four along with Scott Wilson, CCDL; Bob Crook, CT Coalition of Sportsmen; and Attorney Craig Fishbein, lawyer for Blue Trail Range. In the past, Heidi has lent her voice to numerous causes and groups including ending violence against women and children, American Legion Riders, United Way, and the Rotarians. As an avid hunter and holder of a CT Permit to Carry, Heidi wants to lend her star power to help protect the 2nd Amendment. She is a fantastic speaker and we look forward to hearing more from her at the march.
Thank you all who called, wrote and showed up to testify!
H.5158 "An Act Concerning Firearms Regulation" had its most onerous section REMOVED today! That is the section that would require Long Gun Registration and BAN private sales between individuals as is commonly done among gun club members, collectors, family members, etc.
As a result of YOUR calls, emails and the twenty or so people who testified - The State Police Liaison called the Public Safety Committee at the hearing and told Co-Chair Senator Andrea Stillman that they were stripping the Long Gun section from the bill!
Don't Forget To THANK YOUR LEGISLATORS on the Public Safety & Security Committee! Co-Chairman Representative Steve Dargan, Rep. Steve Mikutel, Rep. Penny Bacchiocchi, Rep. Rosa Rebimbas, Rep. Minnie Gonzalez and Rep. Esposito who all either made remarks against the Long Gun Registration, or otherwise established their opposition to this State Police requested bill.
The CCDL, Inc. has taken action to help Connecticut citizens applying for gun permits! Many issuing authorities in Connecticut have for years taken it upon themselves to ask for "EXTRA" information from applicants applying for their permit to carry pistols and revolvers. These intrusive bits of extra information include things such as 3 letters of recommendation that may need to be notarized, signed forms allowing the issuing authority to do financial credit checks, and some even request applicants to sign waivers so authorities can check your medical/mental health history records. This extra information has never been required by any state statute. Members of the CCDL have asked that the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners (BFPE) make a Declaratory Ruling on whether all of this extra information is needed when applying for a permit.
Many people applying for their permit are not aware of what is deemed necessary by the State of Connecticut. Some have supplied the extra information to get their permit; others have considered it an invasion of their privacy and decided against applying for their permit on principle, thus compromising their Second Amendment rights!
The official ruling from BFPE is that anything not specifically called out in the CT state statues is NOT necessary when applying for a permit. They will be sending a copy of their ruling to each and every issuing authority in Connecticut.
CCDL Members and Member Trainers, please pass along this information to everyone. The people of this State, that are interested in getting their permits, need to know that they CANNOT be found unsuitable by any issuing authority, just because they did not supply the extra information at the time they apply for their carry permit.
The BFPE is a group made up of volunteers! The CCDL would like to thank them for the very long hours of service that they put in helping gun owners in this great State of ours!
CCDL President Scott Wilson was interviewed on the Lee Elci Show on Dec. 18th from 9:00am to 9:30am. Scott spoke about the CCDL mission, and potential upcoming legislative proposals. Interviewed along with Scott was CCDL Events Coordinator Kevin Borgnis,talking about the upcoming 2nd Amendment March on Hartford slated for Saturday April 10th, 2010 at the Capitol. The Lee Elci Show is broadcast on FM 104.7 (WXLM). Click below to listen to the interview (about 22 minutes).
The State Of Connecticut Department Of Public Safety is at it again. There are a number of anti-gun legislation laws being proposed to our legislators upcoming. Read the current proposals here!
A key one is the attempt to mandate concealment by honest law abiding citizens. This attempt was made last year and failed. It is back again as a proposal for 2010.
This time the bill includes language for fines ranging from $500-$2000 and can include prison time, up to a year in jail for 1st offense.
There is no language provision in this proposal to exempt ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE and the way it is written PRINTING, can turn a law abiding citizen into a criminal for exercising their rights. If you believe in your 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms, we need you to help us defeat this.
Many gun owners are indifferent to Open Carry Laws, but this is how the lawmakers win. They use divisive tactics to alienate us in matters such as this one...
We truly need every gun owner behind us. This will be a key agenda item at the next CCDL meeting in Middletown this coming Tuesday evening.
