From: [m--v--r] at [msen.com] (M.G. Devour) Newsgroups: alt.politics.libertarian,alt.politics.perot,talk.politics.guns Subject: JON COON: Testimony at CCW reform hearing Date: Mon, 8 Aug 1994 18:35:56 Jon Coon Testifies at CCW Reform Hearing On Thursday evening, July 21, 1994, the Judicial Affairs Committee of the Michigan House of Representatives met at the South Campus of Macomb County Community College. The purpose of the hearing was to hear public testimony on House Bill 5454, a proposal by 32nd District Representative David Jaye (R), to bring Florida style concealed carry permit law to Michigan. Mark Scott, popular talk show host at WXYT-AM Detroit, announced the event on his show and encouraged his audience to be there. Predictably, the crowd filled the auditorium and spilled into the cafeteria on the floor below. People lined the walls and stood in doorways. Dave Jaye made opening remarks citing the exemplary record of CCW holders in Florida. He made the case for concealed carry by law abiding people being the most effective means to control crime and protect lives, versus depending upon law enforcement alone to do the impossible. He urged us all to vote intelligently in November. The chairman of the hearing was Representative Allen Cropsey(R), 86th District. He introduced the citizens who asked to testify. A parade of people - young, old, men, women, private citizens and public officials - each spoke in support. Some read statements, others spoke from the heart. They related personal experiences of self-defense and of helpless victimization. They spoke of security and confidence, and of anger and injustice. No one, in the five hours of testimony, opposed the issue. To my knowledge, no media chose to cover the event. Jon Coon, Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate, was only one of many staunch supporters of our right to arms who spoke. I will give you his comments, as well as highlights of the many others. Jon Coon: "Thank you Mister Chairman and thank you Representative Jaye for this piece of legislation. And I hope someday you'll help me write a piece like that for Washington because that's what's needed. [Applause] "We're going to have a lot of folks here tonight who are going to probably offer a lot of good rational reasons for this bill. They're going to offer a lot of good reasons based on the philosophy of freedom. They're going to talk about the constitutional reasons why this bill ought to be accepted within the legislature. And Mark Scott is here, so I'm sure he's going to sum it all up eloquently. [laughter] "I want to address it from a little bit different perspective. I'd like to give you a *very* good reason to take back to our legislators in Lansing, a very good political reason why they should support this bill. "You're both politicians just like I am, and you know how difficult it can be to find good hard honest people to work for you on your campaign and give it everything they've got. "I can tell you this: There is no finer group of people on this earth, as far as I'm concerned, no more honest sincere or motivated, enthusiastic crowd, than the pro-gun folks right here from our own state. [Applause] "They want to get re-elected? That's how you do it folks. "And if they don't believe it, tell them to come on out September 25th. We're having a quiet little get together of some of our friends in Lansing. And one of my friends, Ted Nugent, and Representative Jaye, and Tom Washington from the NRA will be there, and a lot of other good firearms folks from this state. And we'll show them what a good crowd we are and how much help we can be. "Thank you and I hope to see you there." [Applause] Mark Scott addressed the assembly about the meaning of the Second Amendment, the efforts of the President to help the United Nations impose gun control on our citizens, and media and talk radio's role in our struggle. He acknoledged Jon Coon as a "true patriot" and affirmed Jon's belief in the honesty and strength of the pro-gun community. Scott said, "Good people should be armed against evil people. And bad people, when they use their weapons to commit evil, should be stopped!" "I don't care what the legislators decide on the matter. I don't give a *damn* what the courts have decided. These are *my* *rights* that we are discussing here. ... And the word I'll leave this legislative body with is respect them or else!" One woman, noting that safety belts and life preservers are mandated, felt guns are another safety device we should be required to have. A man stated, "I've never seen the need to carry a revolver... but I think that at some point in time I might want to carry. And when that situation comes, be it legal or illegal as far as the state of Michigan is concerned, I will carry." Regina Johnson, president of Gunowners of Wayne County, concluded "...We do not want to carry a Florida concealed firearms permit. We want to carry a *Michigan* concealed firearms permit." Mike Hoban, is executive director of the Michigan Weapon Safety Association (313-274-2020) and a CCW instructor - 99% of whose students have been denied permits. He summed up much of what was said with these remarks: "Any Michigan citizen who goes through a background check and certified safety training should qualify for a CCW permit, not just those who have money or position." "Our U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia. The Michigan Constitution guarantees this same right for personal protection. This guarantee is given to all citizens. "If citizens are screened, trained, and armed, you have essentially formed a well regulated militia and guaranteed the right of personal protection. Now personal protection is not just a constitutional right, but a basic human right; the right to survive." "I don't come here today with hat in hand to ask for some privelege. I come here to demand our rights!" Please contact your friends and family in Michigan and ask them to call their legislators in support of David Jaye's House Bill 5454. Also, please ask them to support Jon Coon's candidacy for the U.S. Senate. For more information e-mail [m--v--r] at [msen.com] or call 1-800-JON-COON. [Mike Devour, Citizen, Patriot, Libertarian] [[m--v--r] at [msen.com] ] [Speaking only for myself... ]