General Membership Meeting Minutes of WMSA

September 21, 2006

Missouri National Guard Armory, 2323 S. Crysler in Independence

The September General Membership meeting of Western Missouri Shooters Alliance was called to order at 7:12 PM., with past WMSA president Kevin Jamison conducting at the opening. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Bob Brannock.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Kevin introduced the invited guest for the meeting, the current Cass County prosecutor, Ms. Teresa Hensley, a Democrat, running against Jeffrey Cox, the Republican candidate. Ms. Hensley, until 7:50 P.M., spoke to the members in attendance. During her presentation, she told those in attendance that she was appointed as the Cass County prosecutor by then-governor Bob Holden. Ms. Hensley told the group that, despite the fact that she was running as a Democratic candidate, she fully believed in the right of individuals to defend themselves. Before the meeting began, she was asked to read through an article that had appeared recently in a Miami, Florida newspaper article about a sleeping man who awakened to find burglars in his parents’ home and who shot and killed one of the intruders in self-defense. Near the end of the article, the reporter stated that the Florida state attorney would be submitting the case to a Florida grand jury to determine whether the shooting of the intruder was justified. Ms. Hensley immediately commented that, had a similar situation occurred in Cass County, she would not have submitted the case to a grand jury because it was obvious to her, from the description in the newspaper article, that the homeowners’ son fired and killed the intruder in self defense. She said that she believed that homeowners who act within the law should not have to face a grand jury and that she would look favorably upon a citizen who had to use lethal force to stop a potentially lethal attack. If you would like to view this article, it is available for the time being at the following web site:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/2006/09/21/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/15568514.htm

A member asked Ms. Hensley to comment about her being appointed by a strong anti-self defense former governor, Bob Holden. In response, she said that Governor Holden had not asked her any questions related to firearms or about how she would respond to possible firearms-related crimes. WMSA members are encouraged to check our website at www.wmsa.net prior to election day in November to view which of the two Cass County candidates will receive the endorsement of the WMSA board of directors.

After Ms. Hensley concluded her remarks and departed, Sheila Stokes-Begley, WMSA President, read a copy of the minutes of the July 2006 WMSA general membership meeting. The minutes were approved as read.

Sheila asked for a treasurer’s report from Bob Hanson. Bob stated that WMSA had a bit over $10,000 in the bank account but reminded members that these funds would be significantly depleted over the coming weeks as the WMSA board directed funds to be donated to candidates for public office who have received WMSA endorsement.

In old business, Sheila announced that Wis Wissmuller was the winner of the cheesecake raffle. The names of WMSA members who have staffed the WMSA booth at recent gun shows were entered into the raffle for the cheesecake. WMSA would like to thank all the members who have staffed the booth in the past and would invite those willing to volunteer to help with this important assignment to please let it be known to a member of the board.

In additional old business, Sheila said that a person has been identified who has significant experience in writing radio advertisements. At the last WMSA general membership meeting in July, it was noted that we were attempting to find assistance in getting this done.

In new business, it was announced that Gary Davis, a past WMSA president, had the opportunity to greet and be photographed with President George W. Bush who was in Kansas City recently.

A request was made to those in attendance for volunteer help to work at the upcoming gun show to be held on October 7^th and 8^th. Several members kindly volunteered to assist and we thank them very much for so doing.

Gary Davis told those in attendance that help was needed for the campaign of Senator Jim Talent. He said that those willing to help were invited to go to the Republican Party headquarters in Independence, Missouri. The address is 13912 Noland Court.

The case of Adam Petrie, a WMSA member who was refused a “permit to acquire” was mentioned. Adam had been denied a permit because he had refused to answer questions that were being asked by the Jackson County sheriff’s office and which were not required under Missouri state law. The judge who heard his case in small claims court was apparently somewhat ignorant of the state law that governs the issuance of permits. According to Kevin Jamison, who has been retained as legal counsel to Adam Petrie, the case will be appealed beyond the small claims court in early November. Stay tuned to WMSA to see how things are resolved. Members who would like to read about this case are referred to a recent past issue of the Bullet for more information.

Those in attendance at the meeting were invited to introduce themselves. We had several people who were not regular attendees introduce themselves to the group. We appreciate their attendance and invite them and others who read the Bullet but who are not regular attendees of our meetings to join us at our next regularly schedule meeting in November at the Missouri National Guard Armory in central Independence. Please see our website at www.wmsa.net for the date of our next meeting.

No further business appearing, Sheila adjourned the meeting at 8:30 P.M.