Testimonials
Robert A. Levy
8787 Bay Colony Drive
Naples, FL 34108
Fax: (239) 566-7140, Phone: (239) 566-7139, E-Mail: rlevy@cato.org
August 19, 2010
Alan Korwin
Bloomfield Press
4848 E. Cactus, #505-440
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Dear Alan,
When two other lawyers and I sued Washington, D.C., in the Heller case, we knew it was a risky undertaking: A win in the U.S. Supreme Court would have enormous implications for the right to keep and bear arms, but a loss could have been devastating. Fortunately, our strategy paid off. We succeeded in overturning the D.C. gun ban and laid the foundation for a revitalization of Second Amendment rights nationwide.
Of course, with new rights go new responsibilities. That’s how “TrainMeAZ,” the program you are organizing, can play an invaluable role. By contrast with Heller, TrainMeAZ is a no-lose proposition. It will promote gun safety and marksmanship as an integral component of American citizenship. A nation trained at arms is what the Founders envisioned; and no court case can attain that objective. Moreover, the public must be convinced that gun rights will be exercised sensibly. Thus, TrainMeAZ’s mission is to advance a dual agenda—both the perception and reality of responsible firearms use. That’s the right mission at the right time.
I commend you on this effort, and I encourage members of the industry and gun-rights community to get on board. With help from businesses and individuals, Arizona can lead the way to a more robust Second Amendment for America.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Levy
Chairman
Cato Institute
Statement from Senator Russell Pearce,
Architect of Arizona’s Constitutional Carry Law SB 1108
July 29, 2010
“Laws that ban decent citizens from keeping or bearing arms are unconstitutional and an affront to basic human and civil rights. Now that we have Freedom To Carry in Arizona, we expect crime to drop, just like it did when we passed the permission-slip carry law 16 years ago. Armed citizens put criminals at a disadvantage. Guns save lives.”
Mr. John Kavanagh
Arizona House of Representatives for District 8
Chairman, House Appropriations Committee
July 26, 2010
Mr. Alan Korwin, Publisher
Bloomfield Press / TrainMeAZ
4848 E. Cactus #505-440
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Dear Mr. Korwin,
I fought long and hard to get our Constitutional Carry law passed because it’s the right thing to do. The rights of all Americans are enhanced when even a single state steps up and vigorously defends the Second Amendment, even if parts of the nation unconstitutionally deny or restrict the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
Arizona is telling criminals you’re not wanted here, and we’re freeing our citizens to act in their own interests—to be prepared and trained to protect themselves, their families, and even their neighborhoods in the event of an emergency. The new “TrainMeAZ” program is the perfect response from the free market, replacing government enforced training requirements with wholesome market-driven classes and marksmanship opportunities statewide. This is Arizona—get trained, because marksmanship matters.
Sincerely,
John Kavanagh
Member, District 8
Bob Corbin
Arizona Attorney General, 1979–1991
July 14, 2010
Mr. Alan Korwin, Publisher
Bloomfield Press
4848 East Cactus #505-440
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Dear Alan,
As former Attorney General of the State of Arizona, I want you to know I wholeheartedly support the new Constitutional Carry law that becomes effective on July 29th of this year. When every law-abiding man and woman in the state is free to keep and bear arms, either openly or discreetly, freedom has taken a giant leap forward. The Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association, and the Arizona Citizens Defense League, who jointly led the effort to enact this fine new law deserve the thanks and support of freedom lovers nationwide.
This idea to now encourage the entire state of Arizona to embrace firearms training is as American as apple pie, as sound as any advice a good parent can give, and respects the natural right all human beings have to protect themselves from harm. It seems to me that the “TrainMeAZ” program you are helping to develop is the right idea at the right time, and sets a standard the rest of the nation can emulate.
The Founding Fathers envisioned “A Nation of Marksmen,” with young and old alike trained to arms. We may have strayed from that ideal, but it’s not too late to readopt that wisdom, which helped set this nation on its way. Passage of this seminal “Freedom To Carry” law positions Arizona as a national model for firearms rights and gun-safety training.
The state legislature has earned praise for its work to successfully bring statute into conformance with the state Constitution. By removing the need for prior government approval to exercise the fundamental civil right to keep and bear arms, the private sector can and should step up and fill the vacuum, with training programs and classes that all Arizonans, and indeed all Americans, can learn from and enjoy. It is not for nothing that the Founders considered the right to arms as “the palladium of liberty,” and I am personally gratified to see Arizona living that legacy.
Sincerely,
Bob Corbin
Excerpt from letter to Contributing Sponsors
TrainMeAZ, LLC
4848 E. Cactus #505-440 • Scottsdale, AZ 85254
1-800-707-4020 Orders • 602-996-4020
info@TrainMeAZ.com • TrainMeAZ.com
On behalf of the five NRA Board Members who make Arizona their home, we’re asking you to take a stand on gun rights and support the TrainMeAZ campaign now being organized.
Our new Constitutional Carry law changes everything. Now that any law-abiding adult in Arizona can discreetly carry firearms, Arizona leads the nation in demonstrated support for the Second Amendment. It’s in your interest as Arizonans, and the nation needs to know, what we’ve accomplished.
We have a priceless opportunity to launch “a culture of marksmanship” here in Arizona that can sweep across the country, but it can only happen with your direct involvement. Now that government no longer dictates the training environment, private enterprise and the free market should take advantage and fill that vacuum.
This will help your business, build your customer base, and bolster the right to keep and bear arms. By acting as a state instead of separately, we will present an image to the nation that pushes all our independent interests ahead.
We have the expressed support of Governor Brewer, Sen. Russell Pearce and the leadership of the entire legislature. Several of the majors have already joined the effort, and we wouldn’t want you to miss out. You should let the world know that you operate from the gun friendliest state in the union, the train-me state, a shining example for others to follow. This could attract additional firearms industry to the state, and tourism dollars.
When people think of Arizona, want to visit Arizona, talk about Arizona, your firm should be top of mind. The TrainMeAZ campaign will help do that.
Perhaps most important though, you are helping move popular opinion toward a culture of marksmanship and respect for the right to keep and bear arms. Since a statewide campaign like this has never been done before, some of the benefits are hard to quantify, and are open to the energy and enthusiasm you and your firm bring to the mix.
We could go on but that’s the nub of it. This is important. Please make the decision to join together with the state and promote the right to keep and bear arms, for all the right reasons.
Sincerely yours,
Bob Corbin
NRA Past President, NRA Executive Council, Former Arizona Attorney General
Sandy Froman
NRA Past President, NRA Executive Council, NRA Board of Directors
Buz Mills
NRA Board of Directors, President and CEO of Gunsite
Todd Rathner
NRA Board of Directors, ASRPA Lobbyist
Don Saba
NRA Board of Directors