AHSA Bought and Paid For

Remember the American Hunters and Shooters Assoc.? The group we called another Wolf in Sheeps Clothing trying to convince gun owners to support 'reasonable' gun control? Remember how we wondered where all their money was coming from? Remember how they said they were 'non-partisan' but ONLY supported Gun Control supporting Democrats and judges? Before they went offline AFTER the election that is.

Well the truth is out and really comes as no surprise:

The Obama campaign paid for Schoenke's travel to 40 events in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Colorado to address pro-gun voters.

As Kurt Hoffman/45Superman put it when he sent this to me : He was damned near a paid employee of the Obama campaign.

So a guy who gave thousands of dollars to gun control groups, started his own and then supported gun control politicians was paid to do so.

Shock.

No Lawyers and SIH has more on this article.

Bye Bye AHSA.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Back in May, it was noticed that the AHSA almost lost their domain name. And that they hadn't updated it in some time.

Well I decided to pop by for a visit today to see what was up. This is what I found:

So I wonder how all those alleged 'hunters and shooters' that supported them feel now?

AHSA responds

Some of you may remember that I contacted AHSA and asked why they didn't submit an amicus brief in the McDonald case, and I got this response...

"AHSA was not created by the Brady Group.

We have submitted a Amicus Breif, and I will be at the SCOTUS.

We don't "bash" the NRA. We agree w/ much of what the NRA is for, we disagree w/ little.

What we are against is the NRA's one-sided politics. When the NRA will go against one of their NRA "A" rated politicians simply b/c they are part of one party - the NRA has nothing to do w/ guns, but everything to do w/ politics."

Then...

"It's not publicly published.

It will be released post decision. "

I asked LE45 about this and he said nonsense.

After McDonald came down, I wrote back and asked when they were going to release their super secret amicus brief and got this response...

"We applaud the decision by the Chicago Courts. We are happy we can now defend ourselves in Chicago.

Good sir, please refrain from writing me or I will report you to the local authorities for harassment."

teehee

Ray Schoenke, the AHSA, Sotomayor, and McDonald

During the nomination of Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, Ray Schoenke of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA) stated:

Based on the available case history, it appears that Sotomayor honors precedent. Now that D.C. v Heller is precedent, gun-owners should feel secure that their rights are safe.

Today, Justice Sotomayor was one of four justices to rule against incorporation and, even according to Schoenke, ignore precedent.

No great surprise. The AHSA has been a shill for anti-gun activities since its inception.

Even though they're effectively defunct, I'm sure they'll pop up again closer to the elections.

H/T to Sensibly Progressive

AHSA Update

Looks like they didn't like the idea of having their domain get snagged so they renewed it.

Still no new content since February. I'ld continue to keep them in the 'defunct' category.

Where Oh Where did the Hunters and Shooters Go?

Everyone's favorite shill group for politicians who support gun control, the American Hunters and Shooters Assoc. (AHSA), seems to have gone the way a similar group, Americans for Gun Safety (AGS).

Their domain expired on April 25th and, as of the 6th of May, has not been renewed.

Their FaceBook page and Twitter feed hasn't had an update from them since February 20th.

I guess real hunters and shooters don't care for organizations whose goals are 'complementary' to the Brady Campaign.

Update: The site's back up but still no actual activity.

Humane Society of the United States Targets Hunting

Yet not a peep from the "Alternative to the NRA".

Is that how they 'vigorously defend' the hunting and shooting sports?

One of These Things is Just Like the Other..

Via NYSRPA:

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Ownership endorses Sotomayor for SCOTUS.

And what other fine organization has done so?

Telling. Isn't it?

Of Course You Do Ray

Washington, D.C. - Ray Schoenke, the President of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA), expressed support for Judge Sonia Sotomayor as Supreme Court Nominee. Schoenke made the endorsement in a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

No real surprise there.

“Based on the available case history, it appears that Sotomayor honors precedent. Now that D.C. v Heller is precedent, gun-owners should feel secure that their rights are safe.

Guess what Ray? 'Precedent' would have had Heller fail. 'Precedent' would rule against 2A incorporation.

Then the traditional hit line against the NRA:

After sending the letter, Schoenke stated, “As with most issues involving the Second Amendment, concerns about Sotomayor are being stoked by groups who benefit financially from the politics of fear.

At AHSA, we believe strongly that the Second Amendment is an individual right, as determined in the landmark case, D.C. v. Heller. We know are gun rights are secure and look forward to the expansion of those rights to the states.

No you don't.

Schoenke noted, “In a recent Second Amendment case, Judge Sotomayor simply followed precedent in cases involving Second Amendment rights as it applies to the states. Other conservative judges in the Seventh Circuit took a similar position. What we should be focusing on is making sure that, Heller, through the 14th Amendment’s process of incorporation guarantees Second Amendment freedoms in all states.”

But Ray, once again that's not what 'precedent' would have them do now is it? Basically what you're doing is condemning the 9th Circuit court for ruling for incorporation. By your own argument above, the SCOTUS should rule against incorporation of the 2A. Is that what a 'strong supporter of individual gun rights' would do?

Helping Sportsmen by Attacking Sportsmen's groups?

Less than a day after Gun Nuts Radio tore them into little shreds, crapped on the remains and then buried them, the AHSA issues a press release lamenting the fact that youth are not being taught firearm and hunting safety.

Public schools and many youth organizations that used to teach marksmanship and gun handling no longer do so, or face declining enrollment in their programs. As a result, respect for guns, knowledge about the positive role of guns in society, and even respect for the lives misuse use of a gun will alter are decidedly lacking for far too many of our youths.

Obviously the plan developed by the American Hunters and Shooters Association to rectify this situation is to bend all their efforts to attacking the organization that provides the majority of education programs for youth, hunters, and police alike.

Fine, don't like the NRA. But how can anyone take the AHSA seriously enough to be a member?

AHSA Back out of the Closet.

Well, they had their chance. With all of Ray Schoenke's talk of 'consultant based language' and a 'change in leadership' at the American Hunters and Shooters Association, they continue to be nothing more than a hit group against the NRA. Ray continues to use the same rhetoric as Helmke and Sugarmann, heads of the two most active national anti-gun groups. One wonders where the paid AHSA protesters were at the convention this year.

Even w/ all their talk of 'the NRA does nothing for hunters or shooters', not one supporter has been able to show me a SINGLE thing that the AHSA has done at all. Besides endorse long-time anti-gun politicians that is.

Ah, well. No great loss. Real gun groups have been getting more new members each month than the AHSA has fooled in the entire three years of its existence.

Dear Mr. Bravely Anonymous

A few days ago I posted a piece on the American Hunters and Shooters Assoc.'s attempts to revamp its image as a real organization for sportsmen in lieu of an anti-gun group in camo. In response, I got one individual who took offense at me mentioning the fact that the AHSA supported Obama for president regardless of his history of anti-gun activities:

What has Obama, as president done AT ALL to affect gun rights?

ANS: NOTHING

Ok Mr. 'Anonymous', that's fair enough even with the qualifier. However is it due to a lack of desire or is it political expediency? Every single member of his cabinet has a strong history of supporting 'gun control'. Was this a conscious choice by Obama or is this merely representative of the DNC leadership pool that he had to choose from?

Of course that's only ancillary to what's being avoided. Ray Schoenke himself stated opposition to assault weapons at one point but now claims support. Was that the statement of 'consultants' or his opinion? If it was his opinion, what caused it to change?

What is the AHSA going to do fix its image as a gun control group in camoflage?

These are all legitimate questions that deserve an answer if the AHSA wants to even have a chance at being taken seriously as a gun rights group.

Like I said, I'm willing to listen. Instead of being a drive-by troll, come and discuss the issue. The door's open. Are you up to it?

AHSA 2.0: A New Beginning?

Seems the AHSA is trying to revamp its image big-time:

From Ray Schoenke on the AHSA Facebook Page):

"Harman - AHSA will be updating it's website very soon, and there will be measurable changes. Much of the previous language was consultant based. Those language, and firearm consultants are no longer with us."

Seems all the work put into showing the true face of their 'consultants' (ie board members like John Rosenthal et al) were successful. Now we get to have fun seeing what direction they take w/ it.

If they read this, I'll be frank. It will take a lot of work from them to even make me trust them a hair. It wasn't that long ago that Ray Schoenke stated that he opposed Assault Weapons before condemning Holder for supporting a new AWB. Was that the statement of a 'consultant' or was it his belief? It wasn't that long ago that they endorsed Obama, a politician w/ a long history of anti-gun legislation and statements under his belt yet now they oppose the issues that he has held since the beginning.

OK Ray/AHSA. I'm a fairly easy-going person. Willing to live and let live for the most part. What are you going to do, actions wise not words (we all know what those are worth) to convince me you're sincere?

AHSA Trying to Rewrite Their Past

Once again the new spokesperson for the AHSA, Colin Rogero distorts the history of the AHSA and it's leadership's role in anti-gun activities.

He states:

Ray's foundation "THE RAY AND NANCY FOUNDATION" donated to the Brady Campaign. Ray's wife Nancy was a board member. She has separated from the Brady Group and is no longer involved with their organization. Ray never supported, nor donated to the organization. Ray, and Nancy have different views on gun ownership, as many families do.

Apparently Nancy used Ray's checkbook and signed his name then because according to OpenSecrets.org Ray donated $5,000 to Handgun Control Inc. in 2000.

Darn those meddling facts.

Delusional Hunters and Shooters Association

Basically anyone who listens to Ray Schoenke of the AHSA.

In his letter to AG Holder, Ray states:

“Based on your comments today, it appears that the Obama administration may attempt to reinstate [the federal assault weapons] ban.

Um, Ray. 'May attempt'? That's been Obama's official policy since Day 1.

the issue is bad policy

And yet you still endorsed him.

In 2006 you claimed:

"No one needs an assault weapon," Schoenke said.

You stated in a question on the Brady Endorsement:

The board members are no longer with AHSA. Please see today's press release.

So Ray's no longer w/ the AHSA? I'm confused.

Continuing on the AWB.

We just want those policies directed at the root cause of crime and violence and not just symbolism,

Of which none of the policies that Obama has supported do. Yet you still endorsed him.

"This type of legislation will only disillusion the millions of law-abiding gun owners who voted for Barack Obama, believing that he did indeed support their right to own firearms."

No, not disillusioned. Delusional. Anyone who thought that were either not paying attention or were foolish enough to believe campaign rhetoric.

Just the demographic the AHSA aims for.

David Codrea's Examiner column has more.

Brady sockpuppet submit Amici

Also known as the AHSA. You know all about them. The ones whose board is made up almost entirely of anti-gunners, supports bans on "Assault Weapons" and '50 cals, wants safe storage, and put up the flash in the pan anti-NRA sign in Boston, yet still claim to be a "pro-gun" group.

Well, they decided to file an Amici brief in support of Heller. Sounds good right? They want to have the ban overturned. They have lots of former military big wigs that supposedly wrote it and we must support the military.

The problem? They oppose it only because the way it is worded, not because of its intention:

This is not to say that a gun law similar to one
enacted by the District of Columbia could not pass
muster under a traditional implied preemption
analysis; nor is it to say that the District could not
have crafted a gun law consistent with its Charter
and with the Second Amendment by not intruding
into federal functions.

Their whole argument is based on a collective militia function of the populace, the restriction on the ability to train w/ firearms in preparation for a call-up. Nothing about the rights of the individual:

Inasmuch as the D.C. Gun Law prevents D.C.
residents from participating in federally-operated,
federally-supervised, and federally-mandated programs,
it necessarily affects a unique federal function
and therefore is expressly barred by the D.C. Home
Rule Act.

They use the Brady buzz phrase of "reasonable regulations" and state the those are actually "required":

The argument advanced by amici would in no way prevent the D.C. Council from enacting reasonable regulations relating to possession, safety, and registration of firearms in the District. Indeed, it has a responsibility to the public to do so.

So, in conclusion, they have no problems w/ laws requiring registration, bans on certain types of firearms as long as it's not a complete class, high fees, or requiring people to store them at facilities such as police stations, gun clubs, etc. just so long as they have the opportunity to 'practice'. They even state the the ban was a "laudable effort". Sounds like they really support gun rights, doesn't it?

Maybe they were just trying to take a different tact from the numerous other Amici's in support of Heller. Of course if I believed that, I'ld also believe Michael Jackson just wants to be friends w/ my kids.