Where the hell is the NRA and RMGO?

[SenHolbert]

Hi, I’m State Representative Chris Holbert. I was the sponsor of the 2011 "Constitutional Carry" bill, which passed the House on a vote of 40-25. All 33 Republicans, plus 7 Democrats voted for the bill. Three Senate Democrats then killed it in a five-member Senate Committee. In 2012, I sponsored "Make My Day Better" (Castle Doctrine in the workplace), which also passed the House with bipartisan support... only to have those same three Senate Dems kill it in Committee. While other legislators had previously sponsored bills on both of those topics, I'm proud to have carried the first bills on those subjects to actually pass through the Colorado House of Representatives. Not intending to brag here, but I do want to establish that I am a gun guy and I know these topics well.

In 2012, another legislator carried the same "Constitutional Carry" legislation, but the Dems were successful in planting a "poison pill" in that bill, which required it to be killed in a House Committee. I mention that because it's telling as to how the NRA rates legislators. If you check, I have an "A" rating with the NRA. Why not an "A+"? Well, the answer to that is simple. My bill in 2011 was seen as an RMGO bill, which the local NRA folks supported with testimony in the House Committee hearing. The 2012 bill, which, when introduced was identical to the 2011 version, was seen as an NRA bill, which RMGO supported. The NRA rates the legislator who sponsored THEIR attempt at the SAME BILL, which had to be killed by a friendly committee in order to deal with the anti-gunners poison pill amendment as... wait for it... an "A+." However, since my bill, which actually PASSED the State House, was seen as an RMGO bill and not an NRA bill, they rate me as an "A."

No ranting or whining here, but I do ask that you folks consider this example of the politics involved. Is it about doing what is right or is it about the organization? I left the NRA years ago because I grew tired of the marketing and, frankly, their compromising. I think that the NRA has done better in recent years by supporting the right of law-abiding citizens to carry concealed without first obtaining permission from government to go out into public and doing nothing wrong (Constitutional Carry). But, the NRA remains a distant second choice for me when it comes to NOT COMPROMISING ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT. I'm a gun guy, and an RMGO member. That was true before I was elected, is true today, and will remain true so long as the Good Lord allows me to breathe His air.

I’ve been where you are. I know how frustrating it is to read about pending legislation and to consider what will happen to limit freedom and liberty for law-abiding citizens. I'm neither a victim or a murderer, but the antis seem to want to label us as one or both. I say, No!

Please consider that no state legislation can or will be introduced prior to the start of the general assembly, which is scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, 2013. Until then, those legislators who are drafting "anti" legislation enjoy attorney-client privilege with the bill drafter(s) who are writing the legislation for them. At the state level, there really isn't anything to be for or against until such legislation is introduced, which would occur on or after 1/9/13. In the interim, people like you can do something very important. That is, ASK your ONE State Representative and your ONE State Senator how he/she plans to vote on Second Amendment legislation. Almost zero people ever bother to ASK us how we'll vote. Find out who is with you, who is against you, and who is undecided. The latter is where your constituent-based advocacy would be best applied.

If you live in Colorado and want to find your State Representative and your State Senator, then find your "Zip + 4" zip code and enter it at this web page: http://votesmart.org

Once you find the names of your state legislators, go here to find their phone numbers and email address: http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLI...y?openFrameset

Again, I would encourage you to ASK your two state legislators how each will vote on legislation to infringe on the Second Amendment - or any other topics about which you are interested. Find out whether or not YOUR two state legislators support YOUR views. That's a better place to start than asking for a vote that you already have or arguing for that which you won't get.

If you align with the NRA, then OK. Let's work together to advocate for the rights of law-abiding citizens - I'm not here to slam you. However, if you're not sure about where to apply your resources, especially if those resources are limited, then please give RMGO a try. The NRA lobbyist has called me for my input, but there's only one place that I turn when I need advice or input on a Second Amendment issue: http://www.rmgo.org

God bless you, your family, our state, and our nation.

Respectfully yours,

- Chris

PS - Please... call me, "Chris" I work so hard at just being me.