General Membership Meeting Minutes of WMSA

September 15, 2004

Trails West Branch, KCPL

The September General Membership meeting began at 7:08 PM., with Mr. Kevin Jamison, Esquire, WMSA President, presiding and conducting the meeting.

Kevin began by stating that keeping the right to carry concealed in Missouri and keeping the assault weapons ban from being re-enacted depends heavily on the outcome of both state and national elections.  He noted that John Kerry is very negative towards the rights of gun owners despite his efforts to appear as a friend of gun owners and as a sportsman himself.  Kevin said that Claire McCaskill, the democratic candidate for governor of Missouri is also very negative towards gun owners and towards concealed carry as well.  Kevin told the group assembled that, in 1992, McCaskill was quoted as saying that “any twelve-year-old could walk into a gun shop and buy an AK-47”.  Clearly, that was not true then, nor is it now. 

Kevin reminded all present that it is very likely that the next elected U.S. president would appoint three U.S. Supreme Court justices and that it is very important that President Bush be re-elected.  He told the membership present that the organization, “Sportsmen For Bush” will send out information and bumper stickers.  The telephone number was given as (703) 647-2759.  He stated that, in a close election, the only important thing is to be sure to get out and vote and reminded those in attendance to be sure to encourage family members, such as youth attending college away from home, to apply for and vote an absentee ballot. 

It was noted that on Saturday, September 18^th, help would be needed in Clay county to put up signs.  Those able to help were asked to meet at 9:00 A.M. at 249 W. Mill St. in Liberty, Missouri.  Especially needed were pickup trucks. 

On another topic, Kevin said that he has a current client who lives in public housing who was required to sign a twenty-five-page lease.  One of the terms of the lease was that the tenant could not have any weapon on the premises.  Kevin is representing the client because Kevin feels that such language in a contract violates the client’s Second Amendment rights and is unconstitutional.  He mentioned that the client was due to be evicted from his/her living quarters on September 28^th  for failure to abide by this unconstitutional language in the lease contract. 

Regarding campaign signs for Matt Blunt for Governor, Kevin related that he had learned that the Blunt campaign had stated that no signs would be placed until October 1^st, at least in cities. 

Gary Davis made mention of the fact that there would be a parade on Saturday the 18^th in Blue Springs and that any help at the parade would be appreciated. 

It was noted by Kevin that the ten-year-old “Assault Weapons” ban had expired earlier this week.  Any cartridge magazine previously stamped “for law enforcement only” was now legal to be owned and possessed by any citizen.  Now, all citizens can purchase magazines of any capacity—the prior limitation to a legal maximum of ten rounds has now expired. 

A brief discussion was held as to what the NRA was likely to do now that the “Assault Weapons” ban has expired.  The membership was reminded that those who are NRA members should consult their October membership magazine issues since a voter guide will be included in the October issue.  Kevin noted that he participated in a meeting recently where NRA officials requested local ratings, by grassroots gun rights organizations such as ours, on which candidates should receive NRA endorsement.  Thus, Kevin feels that the ratings should be more realistic this year compared to previous election year’s NRA endorsements. 

Kevin implored all members of WMSA to make one more big push to help candidates with donations and labor prior to November’s general election.  It was noted that Jeanne Patterson, the U.S. Fifth Congressional district’s Republican candidate, was in attendance at WMSA’s recent picnic.  It was further noted that a film crew from France attended our picnic, taking footage and interviewing some in attendance.  It is our understanding that this program will be broadcast in France and that it will be shown in the U.S. at some undetermined future date.

No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 P.M.