GONV | Gun Owners of Nevada

Alerts 01-12-10

Your action is needed in a few ways. Please take the time to read how you can help secure a better Nevada for all gun owners.

Many of you have already read the Vin Suprynowicz article in the Sunday LVRJ. If you have not, please do so now:

http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/handcuffed-disarmed-for-obeying-the-law-81088092.html

Again, please read his article before continuing with this message. It is important that you understand the context of this alert.

After reading Vin’s article you might be wondering why Nevada has a CCW requirement (concealed firearms permit or license). Most of the emails and phones calls that we’ve received about Vin’s article are asking this question. From a voice mail message:

“Why should anyone get a concealed carry permit to then be treated with suspicion after dialing 911 as the victim of a crime?”

And frankly, GONV would like to know that answer as well. Mr. Mitchener was violated twice. Once by those who broke into his place of business and again by “the system.”

GONV called Sheriff Doug Gillespie in an attempt to get some answers but he was “unavailable.”

GONV was able to reach Vin Suprynowicz. We spoke for only a few minutes but long enough to get even more irritated at a system that is increasingly putting law abiding gun owners in an untenable position. We are required to have a permission slip from the government to carry a firearm but presenting this government issued credential puts us, the law abiding tax payer, in a position of being treated like criminals. One has to wonder, why bother?

Every law abiding gun owner in this state is at risk of infringements like this and many more. When a citizen calls the police in response to a crime and presents to the responding officer the appropriate ID and CCW and then that innocent citizen is presumed guilty, handcuffed and stuffed in the back of a patrol car, that is an egregious violation.

Nevada gun laws are, quite simply, an insult and an attack on the free people who live in this state. And GONV needs you to help change things if all are to live unencumbered of government bureaucracy. Outrageous and unconstitutional regulations have done little to reduce crime but put law-abiding CCW holders at risk.

Several things need to be done. First, Sheriff Gilespie needs to hear from the voting constituency (via email) that law abiding tax payers will not be treated as criminals when exercising their second amendment rights. Encourage everyone you know to also email the sheriff. See the bottom of this alert for the email address and suggested text. Spread this email around and encourage others to join our email alerts.

Next, for GONV to continue to be successful, we must count on financial support from individuals like you. Your contribution of even $10 is urgently needed today. If you have donated already, please know that we are very grateful. If you have not, please consider joining us in this fight. Nevada gun owners need to stand united. GONV needs you. Please go here to donate online. http://gonv.org/contribute.htm

Freedom is not free. So please make a donation and ask your family and friends to do the same.

Most importantly, Sheriff Doug Gillespie needs to hear from you.

sheriff@lvmpd.com

Sheriff Doug Gillespie:

As a law-abiding gun owner, I was outraged by the treatment of Mr. Mitchener as represented in the LVRJ column by Vin Suprynowicz. I demand to know what is being done to stop abuses on law abiding citizens. The circumstances of Mr. Mitchner’s treatment at the hands of the police were no different than a victim of rape being treated as the guilty party.

Officers of the law take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution.

• What is the LVMPD policy when encountering a lawful CCW holder who has initiated a call to the police because he/she has been the victim of a crime?

• Was that policy followed?

• If not, will officer J. Rogers receive corrective action (be terminated)?

Law abiding gun owner,

If you choose to write your own letter, or to call (702-828-3231) the sheriff, please let him know that you want an unambiguous answer to your concerns about how CCW holders should be treated when they call 911 because they have been a victim of a crime.

And demand that action be taken to correct this situation from ever happening again.

Please forward any responses you receive to info@gonv.org.